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PARLEY'S 


BOOK  OF  FABLES 


The  Two  Goldfinches. 


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PETER    PARLEY'S 


BOOK  OF  FABLES. 


ILLUSTRATED     BY 

NUMEROUS     ENGRAVINGS. 


HARTFORD: 

PUBLISHED  BY  R.  A.  WHITE, 
1845. 


Entered  according  to  Act  of  Congress,  in  the  year  1834,  by 

S.  G.  Goodrich, 
In  the  Clerk's  Office  of  the  District  Court  of  Massachusetts. 


PREFACE. 


This  little  book  is  chiefly  compiled  from  a 
collection  of  Fables,  by  Ingram  Cobbin,  recently 
published  in  London.  That  work  was  expressly 
written  for  youth,  and  seemed,  on  the  whole,  hap- 
pily adapted  to  the  inculcation  of  religion  and 
morality.  In  an  attempt  to  render  this  work  still 
more  suitable  to  the  purposes  of  education  and 
moral  culture,  I  have  rejected  such  stories  as  might 
seem  of  questionable  utility,  and  remodeled  those 
that  are  retained.  I  hope  I  may  have  so  far  suc- 
ceeded in  my  desire  to  benefit  and  please  my  youth- 
ful readers,  as  to  have  prepared  a  book  of  Fables  that 
may,  in  amusing  the  fancy,  carry  home  to  the  heart 
many  lasting  lessons  of  virtue. 

I  am  well  aware  that  conscientious  scruples  are 
entertained  by  many  wise  and  good  people  as  to  the 
use  of  fiction  in  juvenile  books  ;  and  perhaps  par- 
ticular objections  are  supposed  to  exist  against  books 


6  PREFACE. 

of  fables.  But  it  appears  to  me  that  the  argument 
commonly  lies  against  the  abuse,  and  not  against  the 
use,  of  fiction.  Parables  are  not  only  fictions,  but 
are  closely  allied  to  fables  ;  and  of  these  the  Scrip- 
tures furnish  us  many  examples.  This  alone  is  a 
sufficient  refutation  of  all  arguments  against  fable 
or  fiction,  properly  used. 

Addison  recommends  fables,  as  exhilarating  to 
the  mind  by  fanciful  representations,  while,  in  its 
very  moments  of  relaxation,  it  thus  lays  up  les- 
sons of  truth.  He  also  remarks,  that  "Jotham's 
fable  of  the  trees  is  the  oldest  extant,  and  as  beauti- 
ful as  any  made  since."  Nathan's  fable  of  the  poor 
man  is  next  in  antiquity,  and  may  perhaps  be  con- 
sidered even  superior  to  it,  in  aflfecting  repre- 
sentation. 

To  these  examples  from  the  Old  Testament,  we 
may  add  the  authority  of  Jesus  Christ,  who  frequently 
made  use  of  parables  or  fables  to  inculcate  truth. 
And  the  conscientious  Cowper,  in  reply  to  Rousseau, 
the  deist,  who  contended  that  all  fables  which  ascribe 
reason  and  speech  to  animals,  should  be  withheld,  as 
being  mere  vehicles  of  deception,  thus  sarcastically 


PREFACE.  7 

and  triumphantly  sings,  in  his  fable  of  the  Pairing 
Time: 

"  I  shall  not.  ask  Jean  Jacques  Rousseau 
If  birds  confabulate  or  no ; 
'Tis  clear  that  they  wore  always  able 
To  hold  discourse,  at  least  in  fable  ; 
And  e'en  the  child,  who  knows  no  better 
Than  to  interpret  to  the  letter 
A  story  of  a  cock  and  bull, 
Must  have  a  most  uncommon  skull." 

I  do  not  mean  by  this  to  recommend  all  books  of 
fables  to  children ;  on  the  contrary,  I  deem  most 
collections  I  have  met  with,  very  objectionable. 
They  are  generally  sullied  with  indelicacies,  and  the 
fables  they  contain  often  inc  "Icate  craft,  cunning, 
and  worldly  selfishness. 


TO    THE    YOUNG    READER. 

This  little  book  is  full  of  stories,  which  I  call 
Fables.  By  this  I  mean  that  they  are  tales,  in 
which  foxes,  frogs,  dogs,  and  other  animals,  are 
fancied  sometimes  to  speak,  and  think,  like  men, 
women,  and  children.     These  stories,  you  will  un- 


8  PREFACE. 

derstand,  are  not  histories;  and  I  do  not  pretend 
that  these  things  actually  did  happen.  I  only  im- 
agine  them  to  have  happened ;  and  my  object  in 
telling  them,  is  not  to  make  you  believe  what  is  false, 
but  to  impress  upon  your  mind  what  is  true. 

For  instance  ;  I  tell  you  a  story  of  some  mice  who 
talked  together  and  disobeyed  their  mother,  and  one 
of  them  got  his  leg  torn  off  in  a  trap.  Now,  you 
will  UDvderstand  that  I  do  not  wish  to  make  you  be- 
lieve that  this  adventure  of  the  mice  actually  hap- 
pened, for  that  would  be  to  deceive  you ;  but  I  want 
to  impress  upon  your  minds  the  great  truth,  that 
disobedience  and  deception  are  very  wicked  and- 
very  dangerous. 

Thus  you  see  that,  i'^^^hile  I  tell  you  stories  of 
things  that  never  happened,  my  real  design  is  to  give 
you  lessons  of  importance.  The  truth  is,  that  chil- 
dren are  fond  of  stories ;  and,  to  please  them,  I  have 
given  them  stories.  But  I  wish  my  little  friends  to 
be  good  and  happy  ;  I  have  therefore  mixed  with 
these  stories  some  good  and  useful  things,  which  I 
hope  they  will  long  remember. 

P.  PARLEY. 


CONTENTS 


Pago. 

The  Child  and  Snake  ;  or,  a  Story  to  show  that  what  is 

beautiful  may  not  be  good 13 

The  Boy  and  the  Rose;  or,  a  Story  to  show  the  Folly  of 

Disobedience IG 

The  Spider  turned  out  or  his  House;  or  the  Wickedness 

of  doing  Wrong  to  Another,  because   we   happen   to  be 

st'-onger  than  he 18 

T'-iE    CARRiER-PiGEON ;  or,  being  busy   and  persevering   in 

what  we  have  to  do 20 

The  two  Goldfinches  ;  a  Story  of  Friendship  or  Kindness 

of  one  Person  for  another 22 

The  Bees  and  the  Drones  ;  or,  a  Story  to  show  the  Folly  of 

Idleness \ .     24 

The  Archer  and  the  Arrow;  or,  a  Story  to  show  the  Folly 

of  Injustice 26 

The  Thunder  Clouds;  or,  a  Story  to  show  the    Folly   of 

Quarrelling , 28 

The  Elder  and  the  Thorn-Tree  ;  or,  a  Story  to  show  the 

Folly  of  thinking  too  highly  of  ourselves 30 

The  Wolf   and  the  Young  Lamb  ;    or,  a  Story  to  show  the 

Wickedness  of  deceiving  others  by  pretended  Kindness  ...  33 
1  * 


10  CONTENTS. 

Page. 

The  Rival  Snails  ;  or,  a  Story  to  show  the  Danger  of  Am- 
bition, or  a  Love  of  Superiority 35 

The  Goose  and  the  Colt  ;  or,  a  Story  to  show  the  Cruelty 
of  laughing  at  the  Misfortunes  of  others 37 

The  Candle  and  the  Candlestick  3  or,  a  Story  to  show  our 
Dependence  upon  one  another 39 

The  Boys  and  the  Ice  ;  or,  a  Stary  to  show  the  Danger  of 
Disobedience 41 

The  Flower  Garden  and  Weeds;  or,  a  Story  to  shov/  the 
Sorrow  which  wicked  Children  cause  their  Parents 43 

The  Forest  Trees  ;  or,  a  Story  to  show  the  Folly  of 
Boasting 4Q 

The  Cow  and  the  Clover;  or,  a  Story  to  show  the  Danger 
of  Greediness 49 

The  Vessel  without  a  Pilot  ;  or,  a  Story  to  show  the  Im- 
portance of  good  Advice,  and  the  Necessity  of  follow- 
ing it 51 

The  Wax  and  Mould  Candle;  or,  a  Story  to  show  that  we 
are  all  more  or  less  dependent  upon  others 54 

The  Child  and  the  Rainbow  ;  or,  a  Story  to  show  the  fleet- 
ing Nature  of  Pleasures  and  Paches 55 

The  Young  Caterpillar  and  tpie  Rook  ;  or,  a  Story  to 
show  the  Folly  of  ignorant  Boasting  and  pretended 
Knowledge 58 

The  Little  Boy  and  the  Moon  ;  or,  a  Story  to  show  the 
Folly  of  wishing  for  what  we  cannot  have 60 


CONTENTS.  1 1 

Pago. 

The  Frog  and  his  Neighbors  ;  or,  a  Story  to  show  the  Evil 
of  putting  off  doing  a  Thing-  till  another  Time 62 

The  Earth-Worm  and  the  Bek  ;  or,  a  Story  to  show  that 
there  are  different  Kinds  of  Enjoyment  and  Happiness. ...     65 

The    two    Roses  ;    or,  a  Story  to  show  the  Foolishness  of 
Vanity 67 

The  Angry  Monkey;  or,  a  Story  to  show  the  Folly  of  Re- 
venge      69 

The  Fox  and    Spaniel  ;    or,  a  Story  to  show  the  Evil  'f 
keeping  bad  Company ,     71 

The  Rats  and  the  Barley  ;  or,  a  Story  to  show  the  Folly 
and  Wickedness  of  Extravagance  and  Waste 74 

The   two   Rooks  ;  or,  a  Story  to  show  the  Uncertainty  of 
Happiness 76 

The  Flies  and  the  Spider;  or, a  Story  to  show  the  Danger 
of  not  taking  good  Advice 79 

The    Falling    Kite  ;    or,    a   Story   to   show   the   Folly  of 
Pride 82 

The  Raven  and  the  Cock  ;  or,  a  Story  to  show  the  Folly  of 
storing  the  Mind  with  useless  Knowledge 84 

The  Old  Fish  and   the  Young  Ones  ;   or,  a  Story  to  show 
the  Dangers  of  Temptation 86 

The  Drowning  Boy  and  Dog  ;  or,  a  Story  to  show  the  Ex- 
cellence of  Humanity 89 

The  Lost  Dog  ;  or,  a  Fable  to  show  the  Folly  and  Wicked- 
ness of  Discontent 92 


12  CONTENTS. 

Page. 
The  Rat  and  her  Young  Ones  ;  or,  a  Story  to  show  the 

Wickedness  of  Falsehood  and  Deceit 96 

The  Discontented  Dog  ;   or,  a  Story  to  show  the  Folly  of 

Caprice,  or  Love  of  changing  our  Situations 100 

The  Countryman  and  his  Pig  ;  or,  a  Story  to  show  the 

Folly  of  Obstinacy 103 

The  Dog  and  his  Master  ;  or,  a  Story  to  show  the  Necessi- 
ty of  keeping  our  Promises 106 

Tit  for  Tat  ;  a  Story  to  show  the  Necessity  of  doing  to 

others  as  we  would  be  done  by 109 

The  Pig  in  the  Parlorj  a  Fable  about  Neatness 113 

The  Wolf  and  Lamb  ;   or,  a  Story  to  show  the  Wickedness 

of  Injustice 115 

The  Cock  and  the  Fox ;  or,  a  Story  to  show  that  one  who 

makes  false  Pretences,  is  likely  to  be  detected 117 

The  Lion  and  the  Bulls  ;  or,  a  Story  to  show  the  Necessi- 
ty of  Union  and  Friendship 119 

The  Dog  and  the  Crocodile  ;  or,  a  Story  to  show  the  Ne- 
cessity or  Caution » 121 

The  Owl  and  Grasshopper  ;  or,  a  Story  to  show  the  Folly 

of  teasing  our  Neighbors 123 

The  Cat  and  the  Fox  ;  or,  a  Story  to  show  that  Vanity  and 

Conceit  may  end  in  Shame 125 


PARLEY'S   FABLES. 


THE  CHILD  AND  SNAKE ; 

Or,  a  Story  to  show  that  what  is  beautiful  may  not  be 


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A  LITTLE  BOY  was  one  day  walking  in  a  field. 
It  was  summer,  and  the  weather  was  warm  and 
pleasant.  The  grass  was  green,  and  there  were 
many  flowers  in  full  bloom. 


14  PARLEYS  FABLES. 

The  boy  was  delighted  as  he  ran  along :  some- 
times he  stopped  to  pick  the  red  blossoms  of  the 
clover,  and  then  to  gather  the  yellow  tops  of  the 
wild  lily:  sometimes  he  would  listen  to  the 
meadow  lark,  that  sang  from  the  top  of  a  tree  ; 
and  sometimes  he  would  chase  the  butterflies 
that  flew  before  him. 

Thus  he  went  on  for  a  full  hour.  At  length 
he  came  to  a  thick  group  of  bushes.  They  cast 
a  pleasant  shade  upon  the  ground,  and  the  child 
sat  down  beneath  them. 

While  he  was  there,  a  creature  came  gliding 
through  the  grass,  and  wound  itself  around  the 
trunk  of  a  tree  that  was  near.  It  seemed  a  beau- 
tiful thing  to  the  little  child,  for  it  was  of  a  glossy 
brown,  with  many  bright  and  beautiful  colors 
upon  it. 

Beside  all  this,  it  moved  hi  d  graceful  manner, 
and  seemed  so  gentle  and  mild,  that  the  boy 
arose,  and  approached  it.     But  no  sooner  did  be 


PARLEY'S  FABLES.  15 

come  near,  than  the  creature  made  a  sharp  rat- 
tling noise  with  its  tail,  raised  up  its  head, 
flourished  its  tongue,  and  seemed  to  say,  *'  Come 
no  farther,  or  I  will  bite  you  !" 

The  little  boy  was  alarmed,  and  ran  away : 
and  it  is  well  that  he  did  so,  for  the  creature 
was  a  rattlesnake.  When  he  got  home,  he 
told  his  mother  what  he  had  seen,  and  she  bade 
him  beware  of  such  creatures,  however  pretty 
might  be  their  form,  or  however  bright  might 
be  their  colors. 

Now,  I  have  told  you  this  story  for  the  pur- 
pose of  making  you, remember  that  a  thing  is 
not  good,  merely  because  it  is  beautiful.  The 
serpent  seemed  a  lovely  thing  to  the  boy,  but 
it  had  sharp  teeth,  and  a  poisonous  tongue,  and 
if  he  had  gone  too  near,  the  serpent  would  have 
killed  him. 

Thus  it  often  happens,  that  what  is  pleas- 
ant to  the  eye,  is  full  of   danger ;  and  young 


16 


PARLEY'S  FABLES. 


people  should  take  care  how  they  are  enticed  hy 
mere  beauty.  A  little  boy  or  girl  may  have 
a  handsome  face,  or  be  finely  dressed ;  but  if 
they  are  not  good,  they  cannot  be  loved. 


THE  BOY  AND  THE   ROSE ; 

Or,  a  Story  to  show  the  Folly  of  Disobedience. 


A  LITTLE  BOY  one  day  asked  his  mother  il  he 
might  walk  in  the  garden.     She  told  him  to  go 


PARLEY'S   FABLES.  it 

with  his  sister,  but  directed  him  to  do  nothing 
but  what  she  might  say  was  right. 

The  two  children  went  together,  and  were 
much  pleased  with  the  plants  and  the  flowers. 
At  length  the  boy  saw  a  rose,  and  was  going  to 
pick  it.  His  sister  told  him  not  to  pick  the 
rose ;  but  he  would  not  obey  her. 

He  ran  to  the  bush,  and  snatched  the  rose 
by  the  stem.  But,  alas,  how  bitterly  did  he 
repent  his  folly  1  The  stem  of  the  rose  was 
covered  with  thorns,  and  his  little  hand  was 
soon  covered  with  blood. 

This  little  story  should  teach  children  never 
to  be  disobedient.  It  shows  us  that  what  may 
seem  very  pleasant,  may  do  us  harm,  if  we 
take  it  rashly ;  and  that  it  is  much  better  to  take 
the  advice  of  those  who  are  older  and  wiser  than 
ourselves.  Above  all,  children  should  never  dis- 
obey their  parents. 


18 


PARLEY'S  FABLEJ 


THE  SPIDER   TURNED    OUT   OF  HIS  HOUSE; 

Or,  the    Wickedness  of  doing  Wro7ig  to  Another^  be- 
cause we  happen  to  he  stronger  than  he. 


Every  body  knows  that  a  spider  is  fond  of 
forming  his  web  in  the  corner  of  a  room.  When 
his  web  is  done,  he  waits  patiently  till  some  silly 
fly  is  caught  by  the  fine  threads ;  he  then  rushes 
out,  binds  the  poor  buzzing  creature  round  and 
round,  and  at  his  leisure  devours  him. 

Now,  a  spider  had  one  day  got  his  web  all 
nicely  arranged  in  the  corner  of  a  room,  when 


PARLEY'S   FABLES.  19 

the  house-maid,  with  a  broom,  came  and  brushed 
it  away.  The  spider  went  tumbling  upon  the 
floor ;  but  he  hid  himself  behind  a  table,  till  the 
maid  was  gone. 

He  then  crawled  up  the  wall,  and,  finding  his 
web  destroyed,  he  went  to  another  spider,  who 
had  a  nice  web  in  the  garden  among  the  flow- 
ers. He  did  not  hesitate  a  moment,  but 
crawled  into  it,  and,  being  stronger  than  his 
neighbor,  drove  him  out,  and  took  possession  of 
his  place. 

Now,  whenever  a  child  snatches  or  takes  away 
a  thing  from  another  who  is  younger  and  weaker, 
he  is  like  the  cruel  and  selfish  spider,  who  robs 
his  neighbor,  merely  because  he  has  strength  to 
do  it.  I  hope  none  of  my  little  readers  will 
ever  imitate  this  vile  spider. 


go  PARLEY'S   FABLES. 

THE   CARRIER-PIGEON; 
O?',  being  husy  and  persevering  in  what  we  have  to  do. 


Did  you  ever  see  a  pigeon  ?  What  a  glossy 
neck  he  has !  and  how  swiftly  he  flies !  In  some 
countries,  there  is  a  kind  of  bird  called  the 
carrier-pigeon^  because  he  is  made  to  carry  let- 
ters from  one  place  to  another. 

There  was  once  a  carrier-pigeon,  with  a  letter 
tied  to  his  neck,  who  flew  forty  miles  in  forty 
minutes  !  '^  Pray  how  do  you  manage  to  travel 
so  fast  ?"  said  some  of  his  companions,     ^''l  go 


PARLEY'S   FABLES.  2l 

straight  forward  ^"^"^  said  the  pigeon.  *^  I  do  not 
stop  by  the  way :  I  look  not  to  the  right  hand 
or  the  left :  I  take  the  shortest  way,  and  losef 
no  time." 

It  is  thus  that  children  should  pursue  any  ob- 
ject that  is  set  before  them.  In  study,  they 
should  lose  no  time ;  in  running  of  an  errand, 
they  should  go  straight  forward.  In  doing  any 
duty,  they  should  imitate  the  pigeon,  turn  not  to 
the  right  or  left,  take  the  shortest  course,  and 
perform  their  task  with  diligence. 


22 


PARLEY'S  FABLES. 


THE   TWO   GOLDFINCHES; 

\S.  Story  of  Friendshij)  or  Kindness  of  one  Person  for 
another. 


There  were  oAce  two  birds,  called  goldr- 
finches^  shut  up  together  in  a  cage.  Here  they 
remained  for  a  long  time,  and,  as  was  natu- 
ral, they  became  very  fond  of  each  other. 
They  would  sit  together  upon  the  same  perch, 
for  hours.  If  one  sang,  the  other  would  sing 
also  ;  and  if  one  was  sick,  the  other  was  very 


PARLEY'S   FABLES.  23 

sad,  and  would  not  be  happy  till  his  little  mate 
was  well  again. 

Well,  it  so  happened  that  one  of  these  birds 
got  out  of  the  cage  one  day,  and,  with  great 
delight,  flew  away.  How  happy  did  he  feel  to 
breathe  the  pure  air,  and  glide,  like  an  arrow, 
over  the  tops  cf  the  trees  ! 

But,  pretty  soon,  he  began  to  think  of  his 
mate  in  the  cage.  He  then  flew  back,  and,  sit- 
ting upon  a  tree  that  was  near,  begged  him  to 
come  out.  But  the  bird  in  the  cage  was  larger, 
and  could  not  get  between  the  wires.  "Well," 
said  the  other  bird,  ''  I  had  rather  be  confined 
with  you  in  the  cage,  than  enjoy  my  liberty 
alone."  So  saying,  he  flew  to  the  cage,  and, 
getting  into  it,  declared  he  would  never  leave 
his  friend  any  more. 

In  this  little  story  we  see  a  good  example  of 
that  kindness  and  love  which  should  make  us 
willing  to  sufier,  if  there  is  need,  for  a  friend  in 


24 


PARLEY'S   FABLES. 


distress.  Children  should  sometimes  give  up 
their  pleasures  to  their  playmates,  or  brothers 
and  sisters,  rather  than  enjoy  them  alone. 


THE  BEES  AND  THE  DRONES ; 

Or,  a  Story  to  show  the  Folly  of  Idleness, 


A  HIVE  of  bees  employed  themselves  indus- 
triously, during  the  summer,  in  collecting  a  quan- 
tity of  honey  for  their  use  in  w^inter.  They 
arose  early  in  the  morning,  and  v^ent  busily  from 
flower  to  flov^er,  in  all  the  neighboring  gardens, 


PARLEY'S   FABLES.  25 

and  visited  the  fields  for  the  purpose  of  sucking 
the  honey  from  the  sweet  clover  and  other  blos- 
soms. When  the  work  was  all  done,  and  the 
winter  approached,  the  drones,  who  had  eaten 
all  their  honey  as  fast  as  they  procured  it,  went 
into  the  hive,  expecting  to  share  with  the  indus- 
trious and  frugal  bees. 

But  their  hopes  were  disappointed  :•  the  bees 
told  them  that  they  should  have  provided  for 
their  own  wants,  and,  as  they  had  not  done  so, 
and  had  idled  away  all  their  time,  they  must 
suffer  for  their  foolishness.  The  bees  then 
drove  them  all  away  from  the  hive,  and  they 
soon  perished  with  hunger. 

This  story  should  teach  men  and  women  to 
employ  their  time  industriously,  and  not  be  idle, 
and  expect  others  to  work  for  them.  Every 
person  should  provide  for  himself,  that  he  may 
not  suffer  or  perish  like  the  idle  drones.  Even 
little  children  should  not  be  idle.  They  should, 
2 


26 


PARLEY'S   FABLES. 


very  early,  learn  to  spend  their  time  well,  either 
in  study,  healthful  play,  or  work.  An  idle 
child,  though  his  parents  may  be  rich,  will 
probably  be  a  useless  drone  in  society ;  unhap- 
py himself,  and  a  burden  to  others. 


THE  ARCHER  AND  THE  ARROW; 

Or,  a  Story  to  show  the  Folly  of  Injustice, 


An  archer  set  up  a  mark  against  a  tree,  took 
out  his  bow,  and  amused  himself  by  trying  to 
send  the  arrow  into  the    centre  of  the  circle. 


PARLEY'S   FABLES.  27 

He  made  several  attempts,  bat  without  success. 
He  then  vented  his  anger  against  the  arrow, 
and  accused  it  of  being  the  cause  of  his  dis- 
appointment. 

"  You  are  unjust,"  said  the  arrow.  "It  is 
you  who  direct  me,  and  therefore  you  are  the 
only  one  to  blame." 

It  is  an  idle  and  wicked  practice  of  some 
persons  to  charge  others  with  guilt,  which  lies 
at  their  own  door.  We  should  teach  chil- 
dren to  be  wiser,  and  never  to  try  to  hide 
their  own  faults  by  laying  the  blame  on  those 
who  are  innocent.  It  is  not  only  wicked,  but 
foolish ;  for  candor  is  a  great  virtue,  and  a  frank 
confession  of  a  fault  always  ensures  forgiveness 
and  approbation. 


28  PARLEY'S    FABLES. 

THE    THUNDER   CLOUDS; 

O?',  a  Story  to  show  the  Folly  of  Quarrelling. 


Two  clouds,  filled  with  rain,  and  very  black 
and  threatening,  were  blown  by  the  wind,  in 
opposite  directions,  and,  of  course,  met  one  an- 
other. Each  insisted  that  the  other  should  give 
way,  and  make  room  for  a  passage.  But  neither 
would  yield,  and  both  obstinately  persisted  in 
keeping  its  place.  So  the  winds  pushed  them 
on,  and  they  rushed  furiously  against  each  other, 


PARLEY'S   FABLES.  29 

making  a  terrible  convulsion.  Thus  they  were 
torn  in  pieces  ;  and,  by  their  folly,  both  were 
soon  destroyed.  Nor  was  this  all :  in  the 
strife,  several  houses  were  thrown  to  the  ground, 
barns  and  bridges  were  demolished,  and  many 
people  were  killed. 

This  fable  should  teach  children  rather  to 
yield  to  their  companions  than  to  resist  and 
quarrel ;  for  by  doing  so,  they  are  sure  of 
making  themselves  and  others  unhappy. 


^sMj^^^^ 


30 


PARLEY'S    FABLES. 


THE   ELDER  AND  THE    THORN-TREE ; 

Or,  a  Story  to  show  the  Folly  of  thinking  too  highly  of 
ourselves. 


In  a  fine  garden,  which  had  many  trees  and 
shrubs  in  it,  were  an  elder-tree  and  a  thorn- 
tree,  w^hich  grew  side  by  side  in  a  hedge.* 
The  elder,  being  taller  than  the  thorn,  looked 
down  upon  it  with  contempt,  and  one  day  spoke 
to  it  in  abusive  language. 


*  The  little  reader  should  know  that  a  hedge  is  a  fence  made  of 
shrubs.     In  England,  there  are  few  other  fences  than  thorn  hedges. 


PARLEY'S    FABLES.  31 

*' Why  do  you  Stand  so  near  me,  you  miser- 
able, crook-backed  old  thorn  ?  You  know  that 
you  cannot  be  compared  to  me,  either  in  use  or 
in  beauty :  indeed,  you  are  fit  for  nothing  but  to 
be  burnt ;  while  I  am  tall  and  pleasing  to  the 
eye;  and,  beside,  I  produce  berries,  that  will 
make  excellent  wine,  and  my  branches  can  be 
cut  into  whistles  for  the  children." 

"  I  beg  your  pardon,"  said  the  thorn,  mod- 
estly ;  ' '  but,  to  speak  my  mind,  I  think  you  are 
very  conceited,  as  well  as  very  rude.  Since  I 
am  compelled  by  your  impertinence  to  stand 
up  for  myself,  I  will  say,  that  I  have  no 
doubt  I  am  more  useful  than  you  are.  In  the 
first  place,  I  support  the  hedge  by  my  strength, 
and  beautify  it  with  my  blossoms  in  the  spring ; 
and,  by  the  prickly  points  in  my  branches,  I 
render  the  hedge  an  effectual  barrier  against  all 
unruly  cattle." 

While   this  conversation  was  going  on,  the 


32  FARLEY'S   FABLES. 

owner  of  the  garden  walked  up  to  them  with 
his  gardener.  ''  I  am  going  to  take  awaj  this 
hedge,"  said  he,  ''but  do  not  destroy  the  old 
thorn.  Cut  it  carefully,  and  preserve  it,  as  it 
will  make  me  a  nice  walking-stick.  As  for  the 
elder,  it  is  good  for  nothing  but  to  burn."  The 
two  trees  looked  at  one  another:  the  elder 
looked  sadly  ashamed,  but  the  thorn  said  not  a 
word. 

This  story  should  teach  us  not  to  think  more 
highly  of  ourselves  than  of  others,  as  time  very 
often  shows  that  they  are  more  useful,  and  of 
more  consequence,  than  we  can  ever  be.  It 
sometimes  happens  that  persons  who  are  hand- 
some or  well  dressed,  are  much  less  pleasing  and 
useful  than  those  who  are  homely  or  dressed  in 
a  plain  way.  Those  who  do  the  best  are  the 
most  worthy  of  esteem,  and  are  best  loved. 


PARLEY'S  FABLES.  33 


Or,  a  Story  to  shoiv  the  Wicl-cedness  of  deceiving  others 
hj  ]jretended  Kindness. 

A  YOUNG  lamb,  having  strayed  a  little  way 
from  his  mother,  a  careful  old  sheep,  acci- 
dentally ran  a  thorn  into  his  foot,  which  gave 
him  great  pain.  While  he  was  limping  about,  a 
wolf  came  by,  and,  seeing  his  situation,  asked 
him,  in  a  kind  manner,  what  was  the  matter  with 
his  foot.  "  I  have  got  a  thorn  into  it,"  said  the 
poor  lamb,  *^  and  I  wish  I  could  get  it  out,  for 
it  hurts  me  very  much.  I  am  going  to  my 
mother,  whom  you  see  yonder,  to  see  if  she  can 
cure  me." 

"  You  need  not   go  so  far,"  said  the  wolf. 

*'  If  you  will  come  a  little  way  with  me  to  my 

house,  I  will  cure  you.     I  know  a  great  deal, 

about  these  things,  and   have   cured  a  great 

3 


34  PARLEY'S   FABLES. 

many  poor  little  lambs  like  you.  Come,  come 
with  me.  We  will  walk  slowly."  So  saying, 
he  led  the  unsuspicious  lamb  out  of  the  sight 
of  his  mother,  and  then,  turning  round  suddenly, 
said,  «'  This  is  the  only  cure  I  know  of,"  and 
instantly  devoured  him. 

It  is  always  wicked  to  injure  another ;  but 
to  pretend  to  be  a  friend  to  another,  and,  after 
obtaining  his  confidence,  to  betray  and  injure 
him,  is  the  basest  and  most  detestable  kind  of 
wickedness.  Whoever  is  guilty  of  such  con- 
duct, ought  to  be  shunned,  and  hunted  from 
society,  as  the  shepherd  hunts  the  wolf. 


PARLEY'S   FABLES. 


35 


THE  RIVAL  SNAILS; 

Or  J  a  Story  to  show  the  Danger  of  Ambition^  or  a  Love 
of  Superiority. 


One  day,  a  party  of  snails,  on  the  side  of 
a  house,  ^^re  reposing  in  the  sun,  when  one 
of  them  proposed  that  they  should  all  set  out 
together,  and  see  which  could  first  reach  the 
top  of  the  house.  To  this  they  agreed;  and, 
accordingly,  they  all  slowly  began  to  ascend 
the  wall. 

Two  of  them  went  a  little  way,  and  as  they 


36  PARLEY'S  FABLES. 

felt  very  tired,  they  stopped^  and  would  go  no 
farther.  Two  more  went  on  patiently  till  they 
reached  half  way,  when  they  also  gave  up 
all  idea  of  proceeding. 

One  alone,  who  was  stronger  than  the  rest, 
drew  near  the  top ;  and  from  this  height  he 
looked  down,  and,  seemg  his  companions  so  far 
below  him,  he  could  not  suppress  his  contempt 
and  derision.  But  in  the  midst  of  his  exaltation, 
he  grew  giddy,  and,  letting  go  his  hold,  fell  down 
on  the  pavement  with  such  force  as  to  dash  him 
in  nieces. 

Let  us  learn  from  this,  that  if  we  are 
endowed  with  superior  capacities,  or^are  favored 
with  better  success  than  others,  we  must  not  be 
vain  and  boastful,  and  look  upon  our  inferiors 
with  contempt;  for  our  very  superiority  may 
be  the  source  of  danger,  and  w^e  may  not 
only  lose  all  the  advantages  we  possess,  but 
actually  become   weaker   than  those  we  once 


PARLEY'S  FABLES. 


31 


despised.  It  is  right  to  make  exertions  to  excel 
in  all  that  is  good  and  right ;  but  if  our  efforts 
are  crowned  with  success,  let  us  bear  our  good 
fortune  with  modesty,  and  treat  others,  below  us 
in  life,  with  greater  kindness. 


THE  GOOSE  AND  THE  COLT ; 

Or^  a  Story  to  show  the   Cruelty  of  laughing  at  ike 
Misfortunes  of  others. 


A  YOUNG  colt,  who  was  scampering  about  the 
fields,  and  enjoying  himself  very  much,  met  a 


38  PARLEY'S  FABLES. 

poor  goose,  who  had  been  lately  stripped  of  her 
feathers  to  supply  the  wants  of  her  master. 
The  colt,  instead  of  pitying  her  condition,  only 
laughed  at  the  figure  she  made,  and,  snorting 
with  contempt,  turned  away,  waved  his  tail, 
kicked  up  his  heels,  and  bounded  off  into  the 
fields. 

Now,  it  happened  that,  soon  after  this,  the 
colt's  master  thought  it  best  to  catch  this  same 
colt,  put  a  rope  around  his  neck,  and  cut  off  his 
ears  and  tail.  Having  done  this,  he  turned  him 
into  the  field,  where,  after  a  few  days,  he 
chanced  to  meet  the  goose.  "Aha!"  says  the 
old  bird  ;  "so  you  have  lost  your  ears  and  tail,  I 
see  !  Whose  turn  is  it  to  laugh  now  ?  Look 
at  me.  You  see  that  nature  is  supplying  me 
with  new  feathers,  to  take  the  place  of  those  I 
lost ;  but  who  will  restore  to  you  your  ears 
and  tail?" 

This  story  may  show  us  the  folly  of  laughing 


PARLEY'S   FABLES. 


39 


at  the  misfortunes  of  those  we  may  chance  to 
meet  in  life ;  and  we  may  rest  assured,  that 
whoever  turns  others  into  ridicule,  will  be 
treated  in  the  same  way,  if  he  ever  becomes 
unfortunate. 


THE  CANDLE  AND  THE  CANDLESTICK ; 

Or,  a  Story  to  shoiv  our  Dependence  upon  one  another. 


Upon  a  table  in  a  comfortable  parlor  stood  a 
candlestick,  with  a  lighted  candle  in  it,  which 
burned  brightly,  and  gave  every  thing  a  cheerful 


40  PARLEY'S  FABLES. 

and  gay  appearance.  As  it  saw  itself  reflected 
from  all  the  bright  objects  in  the  room,  and 
observed  its  radiance  in  an  opposite  mirror,  the 
conceited  candle  was  filled  with  admiration  of 
its  power  and  beauty,  and  looked  with  contempt 
upon  the  candlestick  that  supported  it. 

"You  poor,  miserable  candlestick,"  said  the 
tall  piece  of  tallow,  "  of  what  use  are  you,  but 
to  wait  upon  me?"  "Be  not  so  proud,"  said 
the  candlestick.  "Only  consider  what  you 
would  be  without  me.  If  I  did  not  hold  you  up, 
you  would  sink  down  prostrate  upon  the  table ; 
your  light  would  be  extinguished,  and  your 
utility  and  beauty  would  be  at  an  end.  I  am  of 
more  importance  to  you  than  you  are  to  me ; 
therefore  do  not  treat  me  with  contempt,  merely 
because  my  station  is  not  quite  so  high  as  yours  ; 
let  us  rather  live  in  peace,  and  acknowledge,  with 
kindness,  the  obligations  we  owe  one  to  another.'* 

This    story    may    show    that    we    are    alJ 


PARLEY'S   FABLES.  41 

dependent  upon  each  other.  The  rich  are 
necessary  to  the  poor ;  the  poor  are  necessary  to 
the  rich.  The  rich  without  the  poor  would  be 
like  the  candle ;  the  poor  without  the  rich  would 
be  like  the  useless  candlestick,  without  a 
candle. 


THE  BOYS  AND  THE  ICE ; 

Or,  a  Story  to  show  the  Danger  of  Disobedience, 


A  NICE  pond  in  a  field  being  frozen  over  on 
a  cold  day,  some  little  boys  asked  leave  of  their 


42  PARLEY'S   FABLES. 

parents  to  go  and  slide  upon  it.  But  they  were 
told  not  to  go,  as  the  ice  was  not  yet  thick 
enough  to  bear  them. 

But  these  foolish  children  thought  they  knew 
best.  The  pond,  they  said,  had  been  frozen  over 
since  the  day  before,  and  looked  as  if  it  were 
quite  safe. 

So  they  all  went  to  the  pond.  Going  upon 
the  edge,  and  finding  it  did  not  break,  they 
ventured  farther  and  farther,  till  they  were  near 
the  middle,  saying  to  one  another  that  their 
parents  did  not  understand  ice  as  well  as  they 
did.  But  just  as  they  were  boasting  in  this 
way,  the  ice  broke  with  a  terrible  crash,  and  all 
but  two  of  these  rash  and  disobedient  children 
were  drowned. 

It  would  be  well  if  children  would  be 
obedient  to  their  parents,  who  are  better  judges 
than  they,  of  what  is  safe  and  best,  without 
such  bitter  experience  as  they  often  meet  with. 


PARLEY'S    FABLES.  43 

Disobedience  is  generally  punished  in  some  way 
or  other,  and  often  very  severely. 


THE   FLOWER   GARDEN   AND   WEEDS; 

Otj  a  Story  to  show  the  Sorrow  which  wicked  Children 
cause  their  Parents. 


A  GENTLEMAN  had  a  fine  garden,  which  was 
well  situated,  and  which  he  cultivated  with  the 
greatest  care.     In  the  spring,  he  procured  some 


44  PARLEY'S   FABLES. 

seeds  of  all  sorts,  and  sowed  them  in  the  beds. 
He  watered  them  every  morning,  and  watched 
for  the  time  of  their  appearance  above  ground 
with  the  greatest  anxiety.  But  what  was  his 
disappointment  to  find  that  the  weeds  grew  up 
so  thick  and  close,  that  they  choked  the  seeds, 
which  had  no  room  to  grow  ! 

*'  Ah,"  said  he,  "I  fondly  hoped  that  the 
garden  I  had  taken  so  much  care  of,  would  repay 
me  for  my  trouble  !  I  expected  to  see  a  variety 
of  beautiful  and  fragrant  flowers,  which  I 
might  enjoy  myself  and  show  to  my  friends. 
But,  instead  of  this,  I  see  nothing  before  me 
but  rank  weeds,  which  have  neither  use  nor 
beauty.  Alas !  how  great  are  my  mortification 
and  disappointment !  " 

This  story  may  serve  to  illustrate  the  sorrow 
of  those  parents,  who,  having  taken  pains  to 
train  up  their  children  in  the  way  in  which  they 


PARLEYS   FABLES.  45 

should  go,  Still  find  them  disobedient  and  wick^ 
ed.  Alas !  how  bitter  is  the  misery  of  a  father 
or  a  mother,  to  find,  that  the  good  seeds  they 
have  sown  in  the  minds  of  their  children 
produce  no  fruit,  while  the  rank  weeds  of  vice 
spring  up  and  flower,  and  cover  the  soil  with 
their  luxuriance  ! 

I  hope  my  little  readers  will  remember  this 
tale,  and  not  grieve  the  hearts  of  those  who 
love  them  most  dearly,  by  rejecting  what  is 
good,  and  only  cherishing  what  is  evil. 


46 


PARLEY'S  FABLES. 


THE   FOREST   TREES; 

Orj  a  Story  to  show  the  Folly  of  Boasting. 


M^J 

B''i 

^^R 

J:^t^'jS'<^^s^m 

w^S 

^H^ 

^^Bj 

j^^nsumN]^ 

M('iiils!\  J  ^z' a^P^*^ 

E8!^^'sraB 

^^^^^^(7jt!i^&£f  >t 

T^^^H 

s 

^^r 

^^H 

l^^^^m, 

W^.:^^ 

^y 

^^^% 

In  a  fine  forest  of  trees  of  various  kinds,  there 
were  several  which  were  holding  a  conversation 
upon  their  particular  beauty,  use,  strength,  size, 
and  other  qualifications.  Some  boasted  of  one 
thing,  and  some  of  another. 

One  of  the  tallest  and  finest  trees  said, 
proudly,  '*  Which  of  you,  my  friends,  is  so  tall 
and  straight  as  I  am  ?  I  am  the  stateliest  tree 


PARLEY'S  FABLES.  47 

in  the  forest."  Another  said,  "  Which  of  you 
is  as  strong  as  I  am  ?  I  have  stood  in  the  storm 
for  years,  and  no  blast  has  been  able  to  bend  or 
break  me  down.  I  am  the  strongest  tree  in  the 
forest." 

A  third  said,  "  Which  of  you  is  so  graceful  as 
I  am?  My  branches  all  wave  in  the  breeze, 
in  the  most  elegant  manner.  I  am  the  most 
graceful  tree  in  the  forest."  Another  said, 
"  You  may  all  boast  of  your  size,  strength  and 
elegance,  but  when  winter  has  stripped  you  of 
your  verdure,  how  naked  and  desolate  you 
appear,  w^hile  I  am  clothed  in  everlasting  green ! 
I  am  the  only  tree  worth  looking  at.  I  am 
the  brightest  and  most  unfading  tree  in  the 
forest." 

While  these  vain  trees  were  thus  talking, 
each  trying  to  appear  better  than  the  others, 
the  owner  of  the  forest  came,  with  his  wood- 


48  PARLEY'S   FABLES. 

cutter,  to  mark  some  trees  which  he  wished  to 
have  cut  down.  The  tall,  the  strong,  the  grace- 
ful, and  the  evergreen  tree,  were  all  selected, 
and,  in  another  hour,  were  laid  lo¥/  bj  the  axe, 
and  cut  up  for  use. 

Thus  you  see  how  vain  it  is  to  boast  of  any 
qualifications  we  possess,  as,  like  these  boastful 
trees,  we  have  not  the  power  to  ensure  their 
continuance.  We  do  not  know  that  the  next 
hour  may  not  deprive  iis  of  them. 


PARLEY'S  FABLES.  49 

THE   COW  AND   THE   CLOVER; 

Or^  a  Story  to  show  the  Danger  of  Greediness. 


A  cow,  that  was  roaming  at  large,  and  felt 
herself  very  hungry,  saw  a  field  full  of  fine 
clover  not  far  off  and  instantly  set  out  towards 
it,  that  she  might  satisfy  her  appetite.  The 
clover  was  very  sweet  and  fresh,  and  the  cow 
found  it  so  delicious,  that  she  ate  without  con- 
sidering the  consequences  of  her  greediness,  and 
filled  herself  so  full  that  she  died  in  a  short 
time.  M 


50  PARLEY'S   FABLES. 

A  horse,  who  entered  the  field  just  at  this 
moment,  seeing  the  cow's  misfortune,  said, 
"  Poor  unfortunate  glutton !  If  you  had  but 
known  how  to  control  your  appetite,  you  would 
be  yet  alive^  to  enjoy  your  food  another  time. 
But  you  rather  chose  to  enjoy  all  at  once,  and 
have  thus  put  an  end  to  your  life.  I  will  profit 
by  your  experience,  and  eat  sparingly,  that  1 
may  be  alive  to-morrow." 

Let  children  learn  from  this  story  to  beware 
of  greediness.  It  is  better  to  lay  by  a  part  of 
our  good  things  for  another  time,  and  not  devour 
them  all  at  once,  that  we  may  not  suffer  for  our 
folly,  like  this  silly  cow. 


PARLEY'S   FABLES.  61 

THE   VESSEL  WITHOUT   A   PILOT; 

Or,  a  Story  to  show  the  Importance  of  good  Advice, 
and  the  JVecessity  of  following  it. 


There  was  once  a  stately  vessel,  which  was 
very  impatient  to  leave  the  port.  Her  sails 
were  hoisted,  her  flag  waved  in  the  breeze,  and 
she  heaved  merrily  where  she  was  anchored  upon 
the  tumbling  sea.  She  therefore  sent  for  the 
pilot,  and  told  him  to  come  on  board  and  take 
command,  and  guide  her  safely  out  of  the  port, 
till  she   should  be  upon  the  broad  bosom  of 


52  PARLEYS   FABLES. 

the  deep.  But,  the  weather  being  stormy,  and 
the  sea  very  rough,  the  pilot  told  the  ship  that 
it  would  be  dangerous  to  go,  and  that,  if  she 
did  not  wait,  she  would  probably  be  dashed  to 
pieces,  and  he  should  lose  his  life. 

**  Coward  that  thou  art !  "  said  the  ship ;  "  you 
are  afraid  to  go,  I  perceive  ;  but  you  need  not  go ; 
I  will  venture  alone.  I  shall  do  very  well  with- 
out you,  you  will  see."  So  she  broke  from  her 
anchor,  and,  with  swelling  sails,  went  from  the 
port  without  any  guide.  The  waves  carried  her 
out,  and  for  a  while  she  rode  in  a  very  stately 
manner  on  the  water. 

'*  How  finely  I  go  1"  said  she.  '*I  need  no 
guide  and  no  rudder.  There  is  no  danger  here. 
I  ride  upon  the  water ;  and,  though  it  is  a  little 
rough,  it  does  me  no  harm,"  While  speaking 
in  this  boasting  manner,  she  suddenly  struck 
upon  a  rock  which  w^as  hidden  under  the  water, 
and,  splitting  with  a  terrible  crash,  the  waters 


PARLEY'S   FABLES.  53 

broke  through  her  sides,  and  she  sank   to  the 
bottom  in  an  instant. 

How  many  little  children  there  are  like  this 
vain  ship !  They  are  very  apt  to  think  that 
they  can  go  any  w^here,  and  do  any  thing,  in 
their  own  way,  and  without  any  guide.  But 
let  them  remember,  that  their  parents  are  the 
only  sure  and  safe  pilots,  who  know  perfectly  the 
dangers  that  surround  them.  If  any  boy  or  girl 
is  tempted  to  do  any  thing  without  a  parent's 
advice,  or  contrary  to  a  parent's  will,  let  them 
remember  the  sad  wreck  of  the  wilful  ship, 
who  disdained  to  take  a  pilot's  counsel. 


54  PARLEY'S  FABLES. 

THE   WAX  AND   MOULD   CANDLE: 

Or,  a  Story  to  show  that  we  are  all  more  or  less  de- 
j)endent  upon  others, 

A  WAX  and  a  mould  candle,  which  were  placed 
on  a  stand,  began  to  dispute  with  one  another  as 
to  which  gave  the  best  and  brightest  light.  The 
wax  candle  contended  that  its  light  was  more 
clear,  and  the  mould  candle  insisted  that  its 
flame  was  larger. 

^'You  foolish  and  contentious  candles,"  said 
one  of  the  candlesticks,  "  of  what  use  are  you 
more  than  we  are,  till  you  are  lighted?  Can 
you  either  of  you  burn  till  some  person  has  first 
set  you  on  fire.  Therefore,  from  this,  learn  hu- 
mility, and  do  not  quarrel  about  trifles." 

This  fable  may  serve  to  remind  us  of  what 
is  very  true — that  we  are  all  dependent  upon 
others.     Alone,   we   can   do  but  little.     It  is 


PARLEY'S  FABLES.  55 

necessary  for  us  to  have  the  help  of  others,  in 
every  important,  and,  indeed,  in  every  trifling 
concern  of  life ;  there  is  nothing  that  we  can  do, 
therefore,  which  should  feed  our  pride ;  but 
there  is  much  to  teach  us  lessons  of  humility. 


THE   CHILD   AND   THE  RAINBOW; 

Or,  a  Story  to  show  the  jieeting  JYature  of  Pleasures 
and  Riches. 


*'  My  dear  mother,"  said  a  little  boy  to  his 
mother,   "  it  has  done  raining,  the  sun  is  bright, 


56  PARLEY'S   FABLES. 

and  only  see  what  a  beautiful  bow  there  is  in 
the  sky!  "  ''  Yes,  my  child,"  said  his  mother, 
''  that  beautiful  arch  is  the  rainbow.  Count  the 
colors,  and  you  will  find  there  are  seven- — violet, 
indigo,  blue,  green,  yellow,  orange,  and  red." 

''  I  will  get  a  chair,"  said  the  boy,  "and  get 
up  at  the  window,  that  I  may  see  it  more  dis- 
tinctly, and  count  the  colors  you  speak  of.  I 
cannot  distinguish  the  yellow  from  the  orange, 
till  I  get  up  on  the  chair." 

So  the  little  child  did  as  he  desired,  but  was 
disappointed  to  find,  that,  while  he  was  making 
preparations  to  enjoy  the  sight,  the  bow  had 
vanished  from  the  sky. 

Let  us,  my  young  friends,  learn  to  bear  in 
mind,  that  many  things,  such  as  youth,  beauty, 
pleasure  and  riches,,  are  almost  as  fleeting  as 
the  rainbow;  and  though  they  may  please  us 
for  a  time,  yet  they  vanish  and  appear  no  more. 


PARLEY'S   FABLES.  57 

THE  WATCHMAKER  AND  THE  TIME-PIECE; 

Or,  a  Siory  to  show  the  Evil  of  Hypocrisy. 

Among  the  beautiful  clocks  and  watches  in  a 
watchmaker's  shop,  was  a  time-piece,  which 
was  so  handsome  that  it  attracted  the  attention 
of  every  one  who  entered  the  shop. 

"  Pray  sir,  can  you  recommend  this  clock?" 
said  a  lady  to  the  watchmaker.  ''I  am  in  search 
of  a  good  one ;  and  if  this  is  as  good  as  it  is  hand- 
some, it  will  answer  my  purpose  completely." 

"  Madam,"  said  the  watchmaker,  "  I  am 
sorry  I  cannot  in  honor  recommend  it.  I  do  not 
wish  to  deceive  my  customers,  and  therefore 
have  never  been  able  to  sell  that  clock.  It  is 
as  beautiful  a  time-piece  as  I  ever  saw,  but  it  is 
very  deceitful ;  for,  to  confess  the  truth,  it  will 
not  go." 

This  story  should  teach  us  not  always  to 
judge  by  appearances.  There  are  some  persons 
3* 


58  PARLEY'S  FABLES. 

who  have  a  fair  outside,  with  a  wicked  or  de- 
ceitful heart  within.  Such  persons,  like  the 
clock  in  the  story,  are  useless,  and  will  con- 
stantly be  avoided ;  while  others,  of  less  favor- 
able appearance,  will  be  loved  and  happy,  if 
they  possess  good  and  useful  qualities. 


THE  YOUNG  CATERPILLAR  AND  THE  ROOK; 

Or,  a  Story  to  show  the  Folly  of  ignorant  Boasting  and 
pretended  Knowledge. 

A  YOUNG  caterpillar  one  day  climbed  to  the 
top  of  a  currant-bush,  to  take  a  view  of  what 
w^as  going  on  below.  Delighted  with  the  ex- 
tensive prospect,  he  crawled  down  again  to  his 
companions,  who  were  feeding  on  the  leaves 
there,  and  boasted  of  the  sights  he  had  seen. 
«'  Why,"  said  he,  <'  I  can  see  the  whole  world 
from  the  top  of  this  bush." 


PARLEY'S   FABLES.  59 

On  a  lofty  elm  that  stood  near  them,  was  a 
rook,  who  had  perched  upon  the  topmost  branch. 
He  overheard  the  vain  boast  of  the  silly  cater- 
pillar, and  thus  addressed  him,  much  to  his 
mortification : — 

"  You  say  you  have  seen  the  world,"  said 
she  :  ''  why,  look  at  me  ;  how  much  higher  I  am 
than  you !  and  how  much  more  can  I  see  than 
you  can !  and  yet  I  do  not  boast ;  for  I  know  but 
little,  and  cannot  see  far,  because  I  cannot  fly 
high. 

"But  the  lark  can  mount  even  above  the 
clouds,  and  can  look  all  around  her  to  a  great 
distance  ;  and  yet  there  are  countries  far  beyond 
her  sight.  Learn  humility  from  this  rebuke, 
and,  instead  of  boasting  of  the  little  knowledge 
you  possess,  try  to  gain  more."  The  caterpillar 
slunk  behind  his  companions,  and  was  never 
heard  to  boast  afterwards. 

Those  people  who  know  but  little  are  very 


60  PARLEY'S   FABLES. 

apt  to  boast,  while  those  who  know  a  great 
deal  are  anxious  to  acquire  still  more  knowl- 
edge. 


THE    LITTLE    BOY   AND   THE   MOON; 

Or,  a  Story  to  show  the  Folly  of  wishing  for  what  we 
cannot  have. 

A  LITTLE  BOY,  whose  parents  indulged  him 
in  all  his  wishes,  and  gave  him  every  thing 
he  desired,  saw,  one  evening,  the  moon  shining 
brightly  in  the  sky,  and  thought  it  so  beautiful, 
that  he  wished  to  have  it  to  play  with. 

He,  accordingly,  asked  his  mother  to  reach  it, 
and  give  it  to  him.  '^  My  dear,"  said  his  in- 
dulgent parent,  ''  the  moon  is  too  high  for  me 
to  reach.  It  is  many,  many  miles  off.  You 
should  have  it  if  I  could  get  it ;  but  I  cannot. 
Ask  for  something  more  reasonable." 

But  the  spoiled  child,  accustomed  to  have  cJl 


PARLEY'S  FABLES.  61 

his  wishes  gratified,  could  not  bear  to  be  de- 
prived of  this  pretty  plaything,  the  moon,  and 
began  to  cry  bitterly,  and  complain  of  his 
mother.  She  could  not  pacify  him,  and  now 
began  to  see  the  folly  of  having  indulged  him  so 
much. 

I  dare  say  that  all  my  readers  think  the  little 
child  I  have  been  speaking  of  very  foolish  and 
very  unreasonable  ;  but  let  them  take  care  that 
they,  too,  do  not  tease  their  parents  for  things 
they  cannot  have.  Children  that  are  very  much 
indulged,  are  soon  spoiled ;  and  then  they  are 
never  satisfied.  They  soon  grow  tired  of  one 
thing,  and  then  want  another;  and  thus  they 
make  themselves  and  every  body  around  them 
unhappy.  Parents  should  be  very  careful,  there- 
fore, how  they  indulge  their  children ;  for  they 
may  make  them  very  disagreeable  by  such 
means. 


62 


PARLEY'S  FABLES. 


THE   FROG  AND  HIS  NEIGHBORS; 

Or,  a  Story  to  show  the  Evil  of  putting  off  doing  a 
Thing  till  another  Time. 


A  FROG,  who  had  made  his  dwelling  in  a  bank 
of  earth  near  an  old  hedge,  was  one  day  very 
much  alarmed  by  hearing  a  man  say,  who  was 
working  not  far  off,  that  he  was  going  to  re- 
move the  hedge,  and  dig  down  the  bank,  in  a 
day  or  two. 

The  frog  instantly  set  to  work,  and  removed 


PARLEY'S  FABLES.  63 

his  habitation  to  another  ditch  hard  by,  for  he 
was  afraid  that  the  laborer  would  destroy  his 
house,  and  that  he  should  lose  his  life.  He 
also  told  all  his  neighbors  of  the  man's  inten- 
tion, and  warned  them  of  their  danger ;  but 
they  only  laughed  at  him,  and  called  him  a 
silly  old  croaker. 

The  next  day,  as  the  frog  found  that  the 
man  had  already  begun  his  work,  he  went  again 
to  his  neighbors,  and  told  them  of  their  peril. 
"  Do  you  not  see,"  said  he,  "  that  the  hedge 
is  already  pulled  down,  and  that  the  bank  can- 
not long  remain  ?" 

*'  Mind  your  own  affairs,"  said  the  uncivil 
frogs,  '•  and  we  will  mind  ours.  We  have 
time  enough  before  us.  We  surely  know  as 
well  as  you  when  it  is  necessary  to  leave  our 
homes.  We  are  very  happy  and  comfortable 
here,  and  will  not  go  till  it  is  time." 

Notwithstanding  the  insults   and  ingratitude 


64  PARLEY'S  FABLES. 

he  met  with,  this  wise  and  kind-hearted  frog, 
seeing  the  dwellings  of  his  friends  on  the  verge 
of  destruction,  went  again  to  expostulate  with 
them,  and  told  them  that,  if  they  did  not  all 
remove  immediately,  they  would  certainly  lose 
their. lives.  "Well,  well,  we  will  remove  to- 
morrow," said  the  frogs. 

To-morrow  came,  but  the  lazy  frogs  had  not 
removed ;  and  they  were  all  killed  or  wounded, 
and  their  dwellings  destroyed.  The  frog,  who 
had  warned  his  neighbors,  was  all  the  time  safe 
and  snug  in  his  house.  He  lamented  the  fate 
of  his  friends,  but  confessed  that  those  who  put 
off  till  to-morrow  what  ought  to  be  done  to- 
day, can  expect  no  better  fortune. 

Let  this  fable  teach  us  all  never  to  procras- 
tinate, or  put  off  till  another  time  that  which 
should  be  done  now.  To-morrow  may  never 
come ;  and  if  it  does,  if  we  are  too  idle  to  do 
our  duty  to-day,  it  is  likely  we  shall  be  too  idle 
to  do  it  to-morrow. 


PARLEY'S    FABLES.  66 

THE   EARTH-WORM   AND   THE    BEE; 

Orj  a  Story  to  show  that  there  are  different  Kinds  of 
Enjoyment  and  Happiness, 


"  What  an  easy,  quiet  life  I  lead ! "  said  a 
worm  one  day,  who  had  just  crawled  out  of  a 
heap  of  earth.  *'  Here  I  live,  from  day  to  day, 
with  my  food  before  me  ;  and  my  bed  is  ready 
made  wherever  I  choose  to  lay  myself." 

"  Poor  bee  !  how  busy  you  are  obliged  to  be 
all  day,  to  provide  yourself  with  food !  And,  be- 
side that,  as  there  are  no  flowers  in  winter  to 
5 


66  PARLEY'S   FABLES. 

supply  your  honey,  you  must  work  hard  all  the 
fine  summer,  to  lay  up  a  store  of  food  for  the 
cold  weather.  How  you  must  envy  me  !  I 
am  not  obliged  to  lay  up  any  food  for  the  fu- 
ture. There  is  always  plenty  of  rich  mud 
wherever  I  go ;  and  nothing  can  be  better  than 
to  enjoy  it." 

"  Poor  crawling  creature,"  said  the  bee, 
"  how  little  you  know  of  my  pleasures  !  You, 
who  are  satisfied  with  the  bottom  of  a  ditch, 
can  have  no  idea  of  my  enjoyments.  You  can- 
not, of  course,  imagine  the  bliss  I  feel  in  flying 
from  flower  to  flower,  in  drinking  the  dew,  and 
extracting  the  delicious  honey." 

This  poor  grovelling  earth-worm  may  serve 
to  illustrate  the  character  of  those  who  think 
only  of  the  pleasures  of  this  world,  and  know 
nothing  of  the  happiness  which  springs  from  re- 
ligion. The  bee  is  like  one  whose  heart  is  filled 
with  love,  and  who,  instead  of  creeping  upon  the 


PARLEY'S   FABLES.  67 

earth,  soars  into  the  sky,  and  derives  his  enjoy- 
ments, sweet  as  the  honey  of  flowers,  from 
truth,  chai-ity,  and  hope  of  happiness  in  heaven. 


THE   TWO   ROSES; 
Or  J  a  Story  to  show  the  Foolishness  of  Vanity. 


On  the  borders  of  a  pond,  situated  in  a  beau- 
tiful flower-garden,  two  roses  grew  side  by  side. 
They  were  both  lovely,  but  not  equally  modest. 
One  of  them  never  thought  of  her  beauty  and 
attractions ;  but  the  other  one  thought  of  little 


68  PARLEY'S   FABLES. 

else,  and  constantly  admired  her  fair  face,  as  it 
was  reflected  in  the  clear  bosom  of  the  pond. 

"  My  dear  friend,"  said  the  modest  rose  to 
her  one  day,  **how  can  you  be  vain  of  what  is 
so  transient  ?  The  beauty,  of  which  you  are  so 
proud,  you  may  be  deprived  of  in  an  hour : 
some  fair  hand  may  pluck  you  from  the  stem,  to 
aid  in  adorning  her  bouquet ;  or  a  strong  wind 
may  come,  and  scatter  your  pink  leaves  on  the 
gravel-walk;  or  even  a  worm  may  feast  upon 
them,  and  deface  them." 

"  I  do  not  fear  any  of  these  threatened  evils," 
said  the  other  rose  :  «'if  I  am  plucked,  I  shall 
still  be  lovely  and  admired;  and  as  for  the 
wind  or  the  worm,  they  would  not  have  the 
presumption  to  approach  me."  As  the  silly 
flower  thus  spoke,  a  strong  east  wind  suddenly 
rose,  and,  stripping  the  leaves  of  the  rose,  sent 
them  whirling  over  the  bosom  of  the  pond. 

This  story  may  shovv^  young  people  the  folly 


PARLEY'S  FABLES.  69 

of  admiring  themselves,  and  of  being  vain  of 
that  which  sickness  or  death  may  destroy  in  an 
hour.  Let  them  rather  wish  to  make  then- 
minds  lovely ;  for  these  are  imperishable,  and 
may  flourish  forever. 


THE  ANGRY  MONKEY; 

Or,  a  Story  to  show  the  Folly  of  Revenge. 

A  MONKEY,  who  had  been  offended  by  some 
of  his  companions,  climbed  up  into  an  old  crazy 
building,  which  was  near  falling,  and,  picking  out 
bricks,  stones  and  bits  of  wood,  amused  himself 
by  pelting  such  of  his  fellow  monkeys  as  came 
in  his  way. 

A  wise  old  ape,  who  had  screened  himself 
behind  a  large  beam,  to  avoid  getting  hurt,  put 
out  his  head  cautiously,  and  remonstrated  with 
his  cruel  neighbor,  telling  him,  among  other 
things,  that  he  would  himself  get  hurt ;  for  the 


70  PARLEY'S  FABLES. 

building  was  old,  and,  if  he  did  not  take  heed, 
it  would  tumble  down  upon  him.  **  It  is  not 
worth  while,"  said  he,  '*  to  revenge  yourself  at 
the  expense  of  your  own  life." 

But  the  monkey  was  so  angry,  and  found 
such  gratification  in  the  indulgence  of  his  spite, 
that  he  did  not  mind  the  kind  warning  of  his 
friend,  the  ape,  but  went  on  pelting  all  he 
could  see,  with  sticks,  stones  and  brick-bats. 
But,  at  length,  while  he  was  trying  to  pull  out 
a  larger  piece  of  timber,  he  loosened  the  raf- 
ters, and  the  roof  suddenly  fell  in  with  a  great 
crash,  and  buried  the  monkey  in  the  ruins. 

How  dangerous,  as  well  as  wicked,  it  is  to 
indulge  a  spirit  of  revenge  !  It  not  only  hardens 
our  hearts  to  the  pain  we  inflict  upon  others, 
but  it  makes  us  blind  or  indifferent  to  the  most 
serious  evils,  which  the  indulgence  of  our  pas- 
sions may  bring  upon  ourselves. 


PARLEY'S  FABLES.  71 

THE   FOX  AND   SPANIEL; 

Or,  a  Story  to  show  the  Evil  of  keeping  bad  Company. 

A  FOX  and  spaniel  met  each  other  frequently, 
till,  at  last,  they  became  acquainted,  and  were  so 
fond  of  each  other's  society,  that  they  were 
seldom  separated.  The  spaniel  followed  the 
fox  in  all  his  rambles,  and  was  the  witness  of  all 
his  depredations.  Sometimes  the  fox  went  into 
the  hen-roost,  and  stole  a  hen  or  chicken ;  some- 
times he  stole  a  lamb  from  the  hill-side;  and 
sometimes  he  ran  off  with  a  pig  that  was  astray 
in  the  woods.  On  all  these  occasions,  he  was 
attended  by  his  playmate,  the  spaniel. 

Well,  one  day  the  fox  entered  a  fine  barn- 
yard, where  there  was  a  great  deal  of  poultry 
of  all  kinds, — hens,  turkeys,  geese  and  ducks,— 
attended,  as  usual,  by  his  companion,  the  spaniel. 
Prowling  along  carefully,  so  that  he  might  not 


72  PARLEY'S   FABLES. 

be  seen,  the  fox  slyly  drew  near  a  fine  fat  goose, 
which  he  intended  for  his  dinner. 

Just  as  he  had  seized  the  poor  bird,  and  was 
bearing  him  off,  the  poultry  set  up  so  loud  a 
cackling,  as  to  call  the  attention  of  the  farmer, 
who  was  at  work  in  a  field  close  by.  Seemg 
the  mischief,  he  seized  a  loaded  gun,  and  fired 
at  the  fox  and  dog  just  as  they  were  leaving 
the  yard. 

The  shot  wounded  both  the  animals,  who  fell 
down  instantly.  The  farmer  came  up,  and, 
seizing  the  fox,  he  knocked  him  on  the  head, 
saying,  "  Rogue  and  thief  that  thou  art !  this  is 
the  last  goose  of  mine  thou  shalt  steal,  and  I 
know  well  that  it  is  not  the  first  meal  you  have 
made  from  my  poultry-yard." 

Then,  turning  to  the  dog,  he  said,  "  And  you, 
too,  shall  die!"  "  O,  dear  sir,"  said  the  poor 
spaniel,  ''  do  not  kill  me.  I  do  not  deserve  to 
die.    I  never  stole  a  goose  in  my  life."     ^'  How 


PARLEY'S   FABLES.  73 

can  I  believe  what  you  say  ?  "  said  the  farmer. 
"  I  find  you  in  company  with  the  fox,  and 
therefore  you  must  suffer  with  him."  So  say- 
ing, he  killed  him  without  more  words. 

If  children  do  not  wish  to  be  thought  wicked 
and  bad,  do  not  let  them  keep  company  with 
those  children  who  are  so ;  for,  if  they  do  not 
become  as  bad  as  they  are,  they  will  suffer  dis- 
grace by  being  found  in  their  company. 
4  .  > 


74 


PARLEY'S   FABLES. 


THE   RATS   AND   THE   BARLEY; 

Or^  a  Story  to  show  the  Folly  and  Wickedness  of  Ex- 
travagance and  Waste. 


Some  rats,  who  lived  in  a  garret,  were  well 
pleased,  one  day,  to  see  a  man  deposit  a  large 
sack  of  barley  in  the  corner.  "  There,"  said 
the  man,  "  is  a  fine  quantity,  and  will  last  me  a 
long  time.     Here  it  must  be  quite  safe." 

*'  Not  so  safe  as  you  think,  master,"  said  a 
pert  young  rat,  when  the  farmer  had  closed  the 
door.      "  Come,    my  friends ;   we    have   been 


PARLEY'S  FABLES.  75 

nearly  starved  lately :  now  is  the  time  to  enjoy 
ourselves.  As  the  man  said,  '  This  w^ill  last  us 
some  time.'  We  can  eat  without  fear  of  getting 
soon  to  the  end  of  it." 

All  the  rats  now  assembled  to  partake  of  the 
feast,  and  found  the  fresh-picked  grain  truly 
delicious.  They  continued  eating  voraciously 
from  day  to  day,  till  this  bountiful  supply  was 
all  gone.  The  winter  had  now  set  in,  and  the 
ground  was  covered  with  snow.  The  improvi- 
dent rats  had  now  no  provision,  and  were  in 
danger  of  all  dying  of  hunger. 

"  How  foolish  we  were,"  said  one  of  them, 
"  to  eat  it  all  so  greedily,  without  thinking  of 
the  winter !  If  we  had  not  been  so  wasteful 
and  extravagant,  there  would  have  been  enough 
barley  to  last  till  summer;  but  now  I  suppose 
we  must  all  starve." 

Those  who  are  extravagant  may  be  sure  that, 
sooner  or  later,  they  will  be  in  want.     Let  us 


76 


PARLEY'S  FABLES. 


rather  act  wisely  for  the  future,  than  live  only 
for  the  present ;  for  we  may  be  certain  that,  if 
we  are  careless  and  wasteful,  we  shall  suffer. 


THE  TWO  ROOKS 


Or,  a  Story  to  show  the  Uncertainty  of  Happiness, 


Two  young  rooks,  who  had  just  chosen  each 
other  for  mates,  began  to  build  their  nest  in  a 
tall  tree,  which  was  occupied  by  many  other 
rooks  of  their  acquaintance.  One  of  them 
picked  up  sticks  to  form  the  ground-work  of  the 


PARLEY'S   FABLES.  77 

nest,  while  the  other  gathered -fine  roots  and 
grass  to  line  it  with. 

In  this  happy  condition,  they  congratulated 
each  other  on  the  probability  of  years  of  happi- 
ness in  this  abode,  as  they  were  much  too  high 
to  be  troubled  by  wicked  boys,  and  too  near  the 
town  for  birds  of  prey  to  venture  near  them. 

It  was  delightful  to  observe  the  care  with 
which  they  provided  food  for  their  nestlings,  and 
the  assiduity  with  which  they  watched  them. 
And  when  their  labors  were  over,  and  sleep  had 
overcome  their  little  charge,  what  a  clear,  sweet 
song  of  gratitude  they  poured  from  their  throats, 
as  if  to  express  their  happiness  and  rapture ! 

But  this  did  not  last  long.  The  owner  of  the 
grounds  where  the  tree  stood,  being  rather  an- 
noyed by  the  continued  noise  of  these  happy 
little  songsters,  one  day  took  his  gun,  and,  firing 
into  the  midst  of  the  flock,  killed  a  number  of 
them. 


78  PARLEY'S  FABLES. 

The  two  poor  rooks  we  have  been  talking  of 
were  the  first  that  fell.  As  they  lay  wounded 
on  the  ground  close  to  each  other,  they  turned 
then-  eyes  up  to  the  tree  where  they  had  been 
so  happy,  murmured  a  faint  farewell,  and  in- 
stantly expired. 

When  we  are  happy,  we  should  enjoy  our- 
selves, but  never  forget  that  our  blessings  may 
be  taken  away,  as  all  schemes  of  earthly  hap- 
piness are  uncertain.  We  should  therefore  live 
prepared  for  disappointment,  that,  when  it 
comes,  it  may  not  overcome  us. 


PARLEY'S   FABLES. 


79 


THE  FLIES  AND  THE   SPIDER; 

Or,  a  Story  to  show  the  Danger  of  not  taking  good 
Advice. 


'*  Good  morning,  my  young  friend,"  said  an 
old  fly  to  a  young  one,  on  a  fine  day  in  autumn. 
"  It  is  a  delightful  day,  and  thje  fields  and  gar- 
dens smell  sweetly ;  but  I  beg  of  you  not  to  go 
into  any  of  them." 

'«  I  have  just  flown  ove  them,  and  I  saw  our 
enemies,  the  spiders,  very  busily  at  work  weav- 
ing webs  for  our  destruction,  on  every  tree  and 


80  PARLEY'S   FABLES. 

bush.  You  are  young  and  inexperienced,  and 
will  certainly  get  caught.  You  had  better  be 
contented  here,  and  buzz  around  the  flowers  at 
the  windows." 

"  O,  thank  you  for  your  advice,"  said  the 
young  fly ;  "I  will  take  care  of  myself.  My 
sight  is  very  good,  and  I  surely  cannot  run  into 
danger,  if  I  keep  my  eyes  open."  So  saying, 
he  left  the  pleasant  parlor,  and  made  the  best 
of  his  way  to  the  garden,  which  was  filled  with 
flowers  of  every  description,  and  trees  and 
shrubs  of  all  kinds. 

The  foolish  creature,  far  from  remembering 
the  advice  that  was  so  kindly  given  him,  went 
directly  to  the  arbor,  which  was  covered  with  a 
honeysuckle,  and  buzzed  about  it  with  delight. 
But  what  was  his  horror  to  find  himself  sud- 
denly entangled  in  a  web,  which  was  partly 
concealed  under  a  broad  leaf ! 

While  he  struggled  hard,  vainly  endeavoring 


PARLEY'S   FABLES.  81 

to  extiicate  himself,  he  was  watched  by  the 
spider,  who  seemed  pleased  to  observe  his  use- 
less efforts.  At  length,  he  ran  up  to  him, 
stuck  his  fangs  into  his  side,  and  feasted  upon 
his  blood. 

'«  Alas !"  said  the  dying  fly,  when  he  was  on 
the  point  of  expiring,  "I  was  warned  of  my 
danger  by  an  old  friend,  but  I  thought  I  knew 
best,  and  I  did  not  follow  his  advice."  *'  That 
was  your  fault,  and  not  mine,"  said  the  spider, 
and  swallowed  him  up. 

Many  children,  like  this  silly  fly,  run  mto 
danger,  because  they  will  not  mind  their  parents' 
advice,  and  because  they  think  they  know  more 
than  those  who  are  older  and  more  experienced 
than  they. 


82  PARLEY'S  FABLES. 

THE  FALLING  KITE; 

Or,  a  Story  to  show  the  Folly  of  Pride, 


A  KITE,  which  had  risen  to  a  great  height  in 
the  air,  and  soared  far  above  the  tallest  steeple, 
and  nearly  to  the  clouds,  looked  down  from  his 
exalted  station  with  contempt,  and  thus  ex- 
pressed his  disdain  of  all  below  : — 

<^  How  superior  I  am!  "  said  he.  '^  Who  has 
ever  ascended  so  high  as  I  have  ?  The  king  on 
his  throne  is  mean  in  comparison  to  me.  I  look 
down  upon  towns  and  villages,  and  men,  women 


PARLEY'S  FABLES.  83 

and  children  look  lilie  mere  specks.  Poor,  mean 
creatures !  I  despise  them." 

So  saying,  the  proud  kite  shook  his  head  in 
derision,  waved  his  long  tail,  and  steered  about 
in  various  directions,  so  that  he  broke  the  string 
that  supported  him,  and,  falling  down  vrith  great 
force  from  this  height,  w^as  very  much  hurt, 
"  Ah !"  said  he,  "if  I  had  not  soared  so  high, 
I  should  not  have  fallen  so  far,  and  been  bruised 
so  much." 

We  should  beware  of  lookuig  with  contempt 
on  those  beneath  us,  as  a  very  trifling  cause  may 
reduce  us  to  a  lower  condition  than  those  we 
despise. 


84  PARLEY'S  FABLES. 

THE  RAVEN  AND  THE  COCK ; 

Or  J  a  Story  to  show  the  Folly  of  storing  the  Mind  tvitk 
useless  Knowledge, 

A  RAVEN  promised  a  cock  that  he  would  one 
day  show  him  some  curious  things,  which  he  did 
not  believe  any  other  bird  but  himself  possessed. 
So,  on  one  fine  morning,  the  two  set  out,  and 
proceeded  some  distance,  till  they  came  to  an 
old  wall,  where  the  raven  exhibited  his  hoards. 

These  consisted  of  old  bones  and  stones,  bits 
of  wood  and  leather,  pieces  of  glass  and  china, 
and  a  quantity  of  other  things  of  the  same  de- 
scription. "  Have  I  not  got  quite  a  museum?" 
said  the  raven.  "  What  other  bird  of  your  ac- 
quaintance has  got  so  many  fine  things  ?" 

'«  Pray  tell  me  the  use  of  them  all,"  said  the 
wise  old  cock.  *'  You  have  indeed  scraped  to- 
gether a  rare  and  curious  collection ;  but  to  what 
purpose  have  you  got  them  together  ?    Can  you 


PARLEY'S    FABLES.  85 

eat  them?"  ''No,  certainly  not,"  said  the 
raven.  "  Can  any  of  your  friends  eat  them?" 
rejoined  the  cock.  "  I  should  think  not,"  said 
the  raven. 

*'  Can  you  make  them  useful  in  any  way,  to 
yourself  or  others?"  said  his  friend.  "I  am 
afraid  not,"  said  the  raven,  looking  very  silly. 
"  Then  I  must  say,  that  I  think  you  are  a  great 
simpleton,  to  spend  all  your  time  in  laying  up  so 
much  useless  trash,"  said  the  cock,  and  turn- 
ed round,  leaving  the  raven  in  stupid  amaze- 
ment. 

Children,  who  fill  their  heads  with  idle  non- 
sense instead  of  useful  knowledge,  very  much 
resemble  this  foolish  raven.  It  will  neither 
benefit  their  own  minds,  nor  those  of  their 
companions. 


PARLEY'S   FABLES. 


THE  OLD  FISH  AND  THE  YOUNG  ONES; 

Or,  a  Story  to  show  the  Dangers  of  Temptation. 


A  FISHERMAN  One  day  took  his  station  on  the 
bank  of  a  clear  stream,  and,  taking  out  his  hook 
and  line,  which  he  baited  with  great  care,  threw 
them  into  the  water.  He  then  cunningly  drew 
the  hook  along,  to  deceive  the  poor  fish  who 
were  swimming  below.  Of  these,  there  were 
great  numbers,  both  young  and  old. 

The  experienced  old  fishes  did  not  venture 


PARLEY'S    FABLES.  87 

near  the  bait,  as  they  well  knew  the  danger  of 
tasting  it,  and,  seeing  some  foolish  young  ones 
drawing  near  it,  they  warned  them  not  to 
touch  it. 

*'  Do  not  be  tempted  to  taste  the  worm," 
said  they ;  "it  does  but  hide  the  sharp  hook ; 
and,  though  you  do  not  see  it,  take  our  words 
for  it,  who  are  older  and  wiser  than  you,  that 
the  hook  is  covered  with  food  only  to  deceive 
you ;  and  if  you  get  it  once  into  your  throats, 
it  is  all  over  with  you.  The  cunning  fisherman 
you  see  on  the  bank,  will  take  you  and  fry  you 
for  his  dinner." 

"  I  see  no  fisherman,"  said  one  of  the  little 
fish,  "and  I  see  no  hook.  I  only  see  a  nice 
worm  tied  to  the  end  of  a  string.  Come  on, 
my  friends;  I  will  taste  first,  and  then  each  of 
you  shall  have  a  nibble ;  for  it  is  as  fine  and 
large  a  worm  as  I  ever  saw,  and  it  is  a  great  pity 


88  PARLEY'S   FABLES. 

it  should  be  wasted.  See,  it  is  now  moving 
away." 

So  saying,  this  bold  young  fish  sprang  at  the 
worm,  and  instantly  swallowed  the  hook.  The 
fisherman  drew  him  quickly  from  the  water  ;  and 
the  silly  little  fish  only  lived  long  enough  to 
repent  his  folly. 

How  many  temptations  are  there  in  the  way 
of  children,  which  it  is  necessary  they  should 
avoid !  It  is  sometimes  very  difficult,  particular- 
ly to  the  young,  to  avoid  the  danger;  they 
should,  therefore,  take  the  advice  of  their 
parents  and  friends,  who  will  help  them  to 
resist  temptation,  and  thus  escape  the  evil  to 
which  they  are  exposed. 


PARLEY'S   FABLES.  89 

THE  DROWNING  BOY  AND  DOG; 

Or,  a  Story  to  show  the  Excellence  of  Humanitij. 


^^^^m 

■^ 

^^^^^^^B 

Wm^ 

^^fes. 

'^^^^^^^l^p 

^^m 

^^ttB 

^^»|\ 

^^^^^riiEl 

^^^B 

^^^"^ 

"^ 

A  LITTLE  BOY,  who  was  playing  by  the  side 
of  a  small  pond  with  his  playmates,  fell  into  the 
water.  He  struggled  hard,  and  made  great 
efforts  to  get  out,  but  the  bank  was  so  high  that 
he  could  not.  The  boys  and  girls,  who  were 
with  him,  cried  and  screamed  for  help ;  but  no 
one  was  near  to  help  them. 

The  poor  little  boy  now  gave  up  all  for  lost. 


90  PARLEY'S  FABLES. 

His  eyes,  mouth  and  nose  were  so  full  of  water, 
that  he  could  hardly  breathe ;  still  he  continued 
to  make  great  efforts  to  save  himself.  But  his 
strength  was  fast  failing,  and  he  expected  that 
he  should  soon  be  drowned. 

This  would  indeed  have  been  his  fate,  had 
not  a  dog,  that  was  passing  by,  heard  his  cries 
and  those  of  his  companions.  This  noble  ani- 
mal ran  to  the  pond,  and,  seeing  the  sad  condi- 
tion of  the  poor  child,  plunged  into  the  water, 
and  seized  him  by  his  hair.  He  then  swam 
carefully  along,  and  jumped  on  shore,  bringing 
the  child  along  with  him.  In  this  way  the  boy 
was  saved. 

But,  though  he  was  dripping  wet,  and  very 
cold,  he  felt  very  grateful  to  the  animal  who 
had  saved  his  life  :  he  declared,  that,  for  his 
sake,  he  would  be  kind  to  all  the  dogs  he 
should  meet,  and  always  remember  that  but  for 
the  kindness  of  a  dog,  he  should  have  perished. 


PARLEY'S   FABLES.  91 

I  hope  all  children  will  learn,  from  this 
story,  that  even  so  humble  a  creature  as  a  dog 
may  be  very  useful  to  us ;  and  that  it  may 
teach  them  to  be  kind  to  those  in  distress. 
Those  vi^ho  are  kind  to  others  in  trouble  w^ill 
generally  meet  a  generous  return ;  while  those 
who  are  indifferent  to  the  misfortunes  of  others 
will  usually  become  outcasts  from  society. 


92 


PARLEY'S    FABLES. 


THE  LOST  DOG; 

(hi  a   Fable  to   show  the   Folly  and   Wickedness  of 
Discontent. 


There  was  once  a  dog  whose  name  was 
Rover.  He  had  a  kind  and  indulgent  master, 
who  gave  him  plenty  of  food  to  eat,  and  milk  to 
drink.  He  also  allowed  this  favorite  dog  to  lie 
on  the  hearth-rug  before  the  fire  in  the  day- 
time, and  provided  him  with  a  nice  bed  of  hay 
in  the  night. 

The    dog  was   therefore   very  fond   of   his 


PARLEY'S  FABLES.  93 

master ;  and  when  he  saw  him  approaching,  he 
would  wag  his  tail,  prick  up  his  ears,  and  jump 
for  joy.  He  always  went  out  walking  with 
him  wherever  he  went,  and  had  many  a  pleasant 
ramble  in  the  fields  and  woods. 

But  Rover  loved  to  wander.  He  w^anted 
liberty  to  go  off  to  a  distance  from  his  master, 
who  was  obliged  to  keep  him  by  his  side,  for 
fear  he  should  get  lost.  This  the  dog  thought 
very  hard.  *'  Why  may  I  not  sometimes  go  out 
alone  ?"  said  he.  ''  Other  dogs  go  where  they 
please,  and  come  back  when  they  please ;  and 
I  am  determined  I  will  do  the  same." 

So,  on  one  fine  afternoon,  when  his  master 
had  gone  out.  Rover  set  off  to  take  a  ramble 
in  the  woods.  The  air  was  very  warm  and 
pleasant,  and  he  was  delighted  to  roam  about  at 
his  ease,  and  chase  the  birds  and  squirrels  that 
came  in  his  way. 

Time  flew  on  so  rapidly,  that  the  poor  dog 


94  PARLEY'S  FABLES. 

did  not  observe  that  the  sun  was  just  setting, 
and  that  he  was  far  from  home.  He,  however, 
being  at  length  fatigued,  turned  about,  and  set 
off  for  home.  But  he  was  quite  bewildered, 
and  could  not  find  the  way  back. 

Poor  Rover !  He  now  wished  he  had  not  left 
his  kind  master  and  good  home ;  for  he  feared 
he  should  never  see  either  of  them  again.  He  left 
the  woods,  and  went  into  the  road,  to  see  if  he 
could  get  into  some  house,  where  he  might  sleep 
for  the  night. 

While  he  was  going  from  place  to  place,  in 
this  disconsolate  manner,  a  poor  man,  who  was 
going  home  to  his  family  after  a  hard  day's 
work,  had  compassion  upon  him,  and  took  him 
with  him. 

But,  in  this  poor  man's  house,  he  had  nothing 
but  a  cold  stone  floor  to  lie  upon ;  and  he  dared 
not  to  go  near  the  fire,  because  the  cottager's 
wife,  who  could  not  bear  to  have  a  dog  in  the 


PARLEY'S  FABLES.  95 

house,  kicked  and  beat  him  every  time  he  ven- 
tm'ed  near  her.  He  had  no  soft  bed  made  for 
him  at  night,  and  as  for  food,  there  was  hardly 
enough  for  the  children,  so  that  Rover  was  fed 
but  sparingly. 

How  bitterly  did  the  poor  dog  lament,  now, 
that  he  had  left  his  kind  master  and  good 
home !  How  often  did  he  try  to  find  his  way 
back !  But  it  was  all  in  vain.  He  did  not  live 
long  after  this  change  of  circumstances.  He 
pined  away,  and  soon  died  of  hunger  and  grief. 

There  are  many  little  children  like  Rover, 
who  do  not  know  what  is  best  for  them,  and 
who  are  discontented  with  what  their  parents 
and  friends  do  for  them.  If  they  are  denied 
any  gratification  they  wish  for,  they  are  apt  to 
seek  it  in  spite  of  all  warning,  and  are  then  sure 
to  be  the  sufferers. 


96 


PARLEY'S  FABLES. 


THE  RAT   AND   HER   YOUNG    ONES; 

Or,  a  Story  to  show  the  Wickedness  of  Falsehood  and 
Deceit. 


^m 

^^ 

^B 

!■ 

^^Bii 

^K 

/All 

I^M 

hH 

W^ 

/"J  iHffiir 

^^9 

m 

^ 

An  old  rat,  who  lived  in  a  snug  hole  under  a 
wood-house,  one  day  w^ent  out  to  find  food  for 
her  young  ones ;  but,  before  she  went,  she  gave 
them  particular  orders  not  to  leave  their  home 
till  she  returned,  as  she  feared  they  might  get 
into  trouble. 

This  advice  the  young  rats  were  determined 
not  to  follow.     They  longed  to  leave  their  hole, 


PARLEYS  FABLES.  97 

and  see  the  world,  and  thought  that  their  mother 
was  foolish  to  be  afraid  of  danger. 

"  What  harm  can  there  be,"  said  one  of  them, 
"  in  going  a  little  way  ?  If  we  should  see  a 
cat,  we  can  surely  scamper  away ;  and  as  there 
are  four  of  us,  we  can  warn  each  other  of  any 
evil.  So  let  us  go  out,  and  we  will  get  home 
before  our  moffier  returns,  that  she  may  not 
know  of  our  disobedience." 

So  they  all  left  the  hole  with  great  caution, 
looking  to  the  right  and  left,  to  see  if  any  cat 
were  near.  But  they  saw  none,  and  ventured 
into  a  large  room  in  an  out-building,  where 
there  were  several  sacks  of  grain.  This  was 
just  what  they  wanted,  and  they  congratulated 
each  other  upon  their  good  fortune. 

They  immediately  advanced  towards  the 
grain,  pricking  up  their  ears  to  listen  for  any 
sounds,  and  moving  very  cautiously.     Suddenly, 

one  of  them  gave   a  dreadful   shriek,   and  his 

7 


98  PARLEY'S  FABLES. 

companions,  hastening  to  him,  found  him  caught 
in  a  trap,  which  had  been  concealed  under  some 
bran. 

In  great  fear,  they  all  fled.  The  one  that 
was  caught  tried  in  vain  to  draw  the  trap  after 
him ;  but  it  was  so  heavy,  that,  in  pulling  it,  he 
tore  off  his  leg.  But,  though  he  was  in  terri- 
ble pain,  he  did  not  scream,  *Tor  fear  the  cat 
should  hear  him,  and  catch  him ;  so  he  limped 
after  the  others  as  well  as  he  could. 

As  soon  as  he  got  home,  the  young  rats  began 
to  lick  his  wound,  that  he  might  be  cured  before 
his  mother's  return.  For  these  foolish  crea- 
tures forgot  that  she  must  see  that  he  had  lost 
his  leg. 

While  they  were  thinking  of  what  they  should 
say,  to  deceive  their  mother  and  hide  their  diso- 
bedience, she  came  in,  and,  seeing  one  of  them 
in  great  distress,  asked  him  what  was  the 
matter. 


PARLEY'S    FABLES.  99 

"  Oh,  my  dear  mother,"  said  he,  "  while 
you  were  gone,  a  strong  iron  trap  came  into 
the  hole,  and  snapped  off  my  leg."  "  Yes," 
said  all  of  them  together,  "  it  came  in  and 
seized  our  poor  brother's  leg,  and  bit  it  off,  in 
spite  of  all  we  could  do." 

"  Ay,  ay,"  said  the  old  rat,  ''I  see  how  it 
is ;  if  you  had  not  gone  to  the  trap,  it  would 
certainly  not  have  come  to  you.  You  may  be 
thankful  that  you  have  not  been  killed  by  the  cat 
that  I  have  seen  watching  for  you  not  far  off. 

''  As  for  you,"  said  she  to  the  one  who  had 
lost  his  leg,  <<  you  are  punished  severely  enough 
for  your  fault,  and  I  do  not  think  you  will  ever 
forget  the  lesson;  but  your  brothers  I  shall 
punish  severely,  for  being  disobedient  in  the 
first  place,  and  for  telling  me  a  falsehood  to 
hide  it." 

Children  may  not  only  learn  the  danger  of 
disobedience  from  this  story,  but  they  may  see, 


100 


PARLEYS    FABLES. 


from  it,  that  one  sin  generally  leads  to  another. 
If  they  are  so  wicked  as  to  disobey  their  par- 
ents, they  are  very  often  tempted  to  tell  false- 
hoods to  hide  their  disobedience,  and  thus  com- 
mit two  bad  and  serious  faults. 


THE   DISCONTENTED  DOG; 

Or^  a  Story  to  show  the  Folly  of  Caprice,  or  Love  of 
changing  oar  Situations. 


A  DOG,  that  was  accustomed  to  be  kept  out 
of  doors,    and    never   permitted    to   enter  the 


PARLEY'S  FABLES.  101 

house,  grew  dissatisfied  with  his  condition,  and 
thus  complained  of  his  master's  cruelty  in  de- 
barring: him  from  the  comforts  of  the  fireside. 

*'  Ah  me  !  "  said  he,  "  how  hard  is  my  fate ! 
Here  I  am  doomed  to  be  constantly  out  of  doors 
night  and  day.  They  will  not  permit  me  to 
enter  the  house,  for  fear  I  shall  dirty  it ;  so  that 
I  never  see  the  warm  fire,  nor  enjoy  any  other 
comforts." 

His  master,  who  was  passing  by  the  dog's 
kennel  at  this  moment,  heard  his  complaint, 
and  took  pity  upon  him.  He  was  called  into 
the  parlor,  allowed  to  sleep  upon  the  rug  before 
the  fire,  and  was  often  fed  with  nice  bits  from 
the  table. 

But  this  capricious  and  discontented  animal 
had  not  enjoyed  these  new  comforts  more  than 
a  week,  when  his  master  heard  him  once  more 
complaining,  as  he  lay  upon  the  carpet,  on  a  fine, 


102  PARLEY'S  FABLES. 

warm  day.  The  children  were  all  at  play  in 
the  yard,  and  the  dog  pined  to  be  with  them. 

*'  Why  may  I  not  be  at  liberty  to  go  out  with 
the  rest  ?"  said  the  dog.  '*  It  is  such  a  fine  day, 
I  long  to  go  out  and  stretch  my  limbs.  I  am 
now  seldom  allowed  to  go  out,  for  fear  of  bring- 
ing in  dirt,  and  soiling  my  mistress's  carpet. 

*«  It  is  true,  I  have  the  comfort  of  a  fire,  and 
many  nice  bits  of  meat  and  bread  are  given  me ; 
yet  I  am  not  happy  with  all  my  comforts.  I 
am  but  a  poor  prisoner,  who  is  debarred  the 
pleasures  of  air  and  exercise.  I  envy  the  mean- 
est cur  in  the  streets." 

"  Ungrateful  and  capricious  beast,"  said  his 
master,  "  take  thy  liberty,  but  never  let  me  see 
thy  face  again  in  the  house ! "  So  saying,  he 
kicked  the  dog  out  of  the  door,  who  ran  yelping 
away  to  his  kennel. 

People  are  very  apt  to  think  their  lot  a  hard 
one,  and  to  wish  for  a  change ;  but  when  the 


PARLEY'S  FABLES.  103 

change  is  made,  they  are  seldom  satisfied.  A 
contented  disposition  can  render  almost  any 
state  a  happy  one ;  a  discontented  disposition 
will  spoil  the  greatest  blessings. 


THE   COUNTRYMAN  AND  HIS  PIG; 

Or,  a  Story  to  show  the  Folly  of  Obstinacy, 


.  A  COUNTRYMAN  onc  day  wished  to  take  a  pig 
to  market.  But  when  he  tried  to  drive  him  one 
way,  he  would  go  the  other,  and  seemed  obsti- 
nately bent  on  going  every  way  but  the  right. 


104  PARLEY'S  FABLES. 

If  the  man  wanted  him  to  turn  to  the  right,  he 
insisted  upon  going  to  the  left ;  and  if  he  tried 
to  drive  him  to  the  left,  he  was  sure  to  turn 
to  the  right. 

At  length,  the  countryman,  heing  tired,  and 
out  of  patience,  tied  a  string  to  one  of  the  pig's 
hind  legs,  and  attempted  to  guide  him  with  the 
whip  as  if  he  were  a  horse  ;  but  this  would  not 
do ;  for  grunter  kicked  and  squealed,  ran  for- 
ward and  then  backward,  a^  persisted  in  at- 
tempting to  return  to  his  sty. 

*'  So,  then,"  said  the  driver,  "  you  will  not 
go  on,  and  do  as  I  want  you  to  do.  Well,  well, 
we  will  see  who  shall  be  master,  you  or  I." 
So  saying,  he  took  a  strong  rope  out  of  his 
pocket,  seized  the  squealing  animal  by  the  legs, 
and,  tying  them  fast  together,  threw  him  on  the 
back  of  his  horse,  between  two  bags  of  grain. 

In  vain  did  the  angry  creature  struggle  and 
squeal :    he  could  not  get  away,  nor  loosen  the 


PARLEY'S   FABLES.  105 

cord  about  his  legs.  He  now  repented  of  his 
obstinacy;  for  the  cord  hurt  him,  and  the  motion 
of  the  horse  made  him  ache  all  over.  But  the 
countryman  did  not  mind  this,  and  hurried  on 
the  horse,  to  make  up  for  the  time  that  had 
been  lost. 

«'  O,  my  dear  master,"  said  the  uneasy  pig, 
"  do  pray  let  me  get  down.  I  am  not  accus- 
tomed to  riding.  I  know  nothing  about  it,  and 
shall  certainly  break  my  neck.  Besides  that, 
the  string  hurts  my  legs  sadly,  and  I  feel  bruised 
all  over.     Do  let  me  get  down  this  once." 

*'  That  you  shall  not,"  said  the  countryman. 
*«  You  would  not  walk  to  please  me,  and  so  you 
shall  ride.  You  have  had  your  way  long 
enough ;  now  I  must  have  mine."  So  saying, 
he  jolted  the  squealing  pig  all  the  way  to 
market. 

My  little  readers  may  learn  from  this  story 
never  to  be  obstinate  ;  for,  if  they  are  so,  they 
5* 


10^ 


PARLEY'S   FABLES. 


must  expect  to  be  treated  roughly  by  those  who 
would,  doubtless,  prefer  to  treat  them  with  ten- 
derness. It  is  much  better  to  be  obedient  than 
to  cry  and  resist,  like  this  foolish  pig. 


THE  DOG  AND  HIS  MASTER; 

Or,  a  Story  to  show   the    JYeccssity    of  Jccejping  our 
Promises. 


A  DOG,  that  was  kept  chained  to  his  kennel,  to 
guard  his  master's  grounds,  begged  hard,  one 
day,  to  be  permitted  to  be   free,  and  promised 


PARLEY'S  FABLES.  107 

tliat  he  would  not  leave  the  yard.  His  master 
thought  he  would  gratify  him ;  so  he  unchained 
him,  and  left  him  while  he  went  to  his  morning 
employments. 

The  dog  was  no  sooner  alone,  than  he  forgot 
his  promise,  left  the  yard,  and  went  out  to  take 
a  ramble.  He  was  so  delighted  with  his  free- 
dom, that  he  staid  out  all  day,  and  did  not  return 
till  late  in  the  evening.  His  master,  however, 
said  nothing  to  him,  but  chained  him  up  as 
usual. 

The  next  morning,  when  the  gates  were 
opened,  he  asked  leave  again  to  have  his  chain 
taken  off.  "What,"  said  his  master,  "when 
you  deceived  me  yesterday,  do  you  ask  me 
again  to  trust  you  ?  No  ;  you  have  once  broken 
your  promise,  and  I  will  trust  you  no  more." 

<«  O,  pray  let  me  be  free  once  more,"  said 
the  dog,  "and  I  will  promise  you  faithfully  not 
to  leave  the  yard;  indeed  I  will.     I  will  not 


108  PARLEY'S  FABLES. 

even  go  near  the  gate,  for  fear  I  should  be 
tempted  to  go  through  it.  Do  pray,  my  dear 
master,  take  off  my  chain." 

"  I  tell  you,"  said  the  gentleman,  *'I  cannot 
believe  you.  You  have  deceived  me  once,  and 
1  cannot  trust  you.  You  are  necessary  here,  to 
guard  my  property ;  and,  for  fear  you  may  be 
tempted  to  leave  this  place,  I  shall  keep  you 
securely  chained." 

We  should  not  make  promises,  if  we  do  not 
mean  to  keep  them ;  for  nobody  will  place  any 
dependence  upon  our  veord,  if  we  once  deceive 
them. 


PARLEY'S   FABLES. 


109 


TIT   FOR  TAT; 

A  Story  to  show  the  JVeccssity  of  doing  to  others  as  ive 
would  he  done  hy. 


A  LITTLE  CHIMNEY-SWEEPER  was,  oiie  after- 
noon, sitting  upon  the  steps  of  a  door,  resting 
himself,  after  his  morning's  work.  He  had  a 
large  piece  of  bread  and  butter  in  his  hand, 
which  the  cook  of  the  house  had  kindly  given 
him,  and  which  he  intended  to  eat  for  his 
supper. 

When  he  was  quite  rested,  he  began  to  eat. 


110  PARLEY'S  FABLES. 

He  found  the  bread  and  butter  very  sweet  and 
good ;  and,  as  he  was  hungry,  he  enjoyed  it  very 
much.  So  he  ate  as  fast  as  he  could,  now  and 
then  humming  a  tune. 

Not  far  from  him,  on  the  steps  of  another 
door,  lay  a  dog,  quietly  asleep  in  the  sun.  The 
sweep  called  out  to  him,  and  said,  *'  Come 
here,  sir,  come  here,"  whistling  and  beckoning 
to  him  at  the  same  time. 

The  dog,  hearing  himself  called,  and  seeing 
that  the  boy  w^as  eating,  got  up,  shook  himself, 
wagged  his  tail,  and  advanced  towards  the  boy, 
in  the  hopes  that  he  would  give  him  a  piece 
of  the  bread  and  butter.  The  mischievous 
boy  held  out  the  bread  to  the  dog,  who  instantly 
stretched  out  his  nose  to  take  it. 

But  the  young  rogue,  instead  of  giving  the 
dog  any  of  his  supper,  hastily  drew  back  his 
hand,  and  struck  him  a  severe  blow  on  the  nose, 
which  made   the    poor   creature  run   howling 


PARLEY'S   FABLES.  Ill 

away,  while  the  cruel  little  sweep  laughed  most 
heartily  at  the  trick  he  had  played. 

A  gentleman,  who  was  sitting  at  a  window 
on  the  opposite  side  of  the  street,  saw  this 
action,  and  determined  to  punish  the  wicked 
boy.  So,  opening  the  street  door,  he  beckoned 
to  the  sweep  to  come  over,  showing  him  a  six- 
pence which  he  held  in  his  hand. 

"Would  you  like  to  have  this  sixpence,  my 
boy?"  said  the  gentleman.  '' It  will  buy  you 
a  better  supper  than  you  have  got  there."  "  O, 
yes,  sir,  if  you  please,  with  many  thanks," 
said  the  little  sweep,  eagerly  stretching  out  his 
hand  for  the  prize. 

But,  just  as  he  was  going  to  take  tne  money, 
the  gentleman  hit  him  so  smart  a  rap  on  his 
knuckles  with  a  cane  which  he  held  behind  him, 
that  the  boy  drew  back  his  hand,  screaming 
with  pain. 

<<  What  did  you  do  that  for?"  said  he,  sob- 


112  PARLEY'S  FABLES. 

bing,  and  rubbing  his  knuckles.  ^*  I  did  not  ask 
for  the  sixpence."  "  Why  did  vou  hurt  the 
poor  dog  just  now?  "  said  the  gentleman.  <'He 
did  not  ask  you  for  your  bread  and  butter.  I 
only  serve  you  as  you  served  him.  Let  this 
teach  you  that  dogs  can  feel  as  v^^ell  as  boys,  and 
learn  to  behave  more  kindly  towards  dumb 
animals  in  future." 


PARLEY'S    FABLES.  /%     113 


THE    PIG  IN  THE   PARLOR; 

A  Fable  about  JVcatness. 


There  was  once  a  pig,  who  had  been  brought 
up  in  a  sty  ;  and,  like  other  pigs,  thus  educated, 
he  preferred  a  dirty  pen  to  a  neat  one.  But, 
still,  he  took  it  into  his  head  one  day,  that  he 
should  like  to  live  in  the  house,  and  run  about 
on  the  nice  carpet  which  he  chanced  to  see,  as 
the  door  was  open. 

He  therefore  requested  his  master  to  grant 
him  the  favor  of  quitting  his  dirty  sty,  that  he 
8 


114  PARLEY'S   FABLES. 

might  live  in  the  parlor.  Strange  as  it  may 
seem,  the  gentleman  consented. 

Accordingly,  he  had  the  pig  washed  and 
combed,  and  brought  into  the  parlor.  At  first, 
the  creature  liked  it  mightily,  and  grunted  about 
with  a  great  display  of  satisfaction.  But,  in  a 
short  time,  he  grew  weary  of  the  neatness  of  all 
around,  and  began  to  sigh  for  some  mud  and 
dirt  to  root  about  in.  At  length  he  broke  away 
from  the  parlor,  and  ran  back  to  his  sty,  where 
he  remained  ever  after. 

This  story  may  show  that  a  child  educated  in 
bad  habits  will  be  likely  to  keep  them.  A  child 
brought  up  with  a  love  of  neatness  and  order, 
will  preserve  it  in  after  life,  and  it  will  be  a 
source  of  great  comfort  and  happiness ;  while, 
on  the  contrary,  if  any  parent  brings  up  a  child 
in  habits  of  negligence  and  uncleanliness,  he 
may  be  sure  that  these  habits  will  be  retained, 
and  will  prove  the  occasion  of  great  misery. 


PARLEY'S   FABLES.  127 

only  means  of  escape  by  running  up  the  first 
tree,  where  she  rolled  herself  up,  and  remained 
in  safety  till  the  hounds  had  passed. 

But  the  fox,  who  thought  himself  so  cunning 
and  crafty,  and  felt  so  sure  of  saving  himself 
from  any  danger,  set  off  as  fast  as  he  could, 
and  ran  this  way,  and  that,  but  all  to  no  purpose  ; 
for  the  pack  soon  overtook  him,  and  tore  him 
into  a  dozen  pieces. 

This  story  should  teach  people  to  be  modest 
and  humble,  and  not  overrate  their  abilities,  as 
those  who  do  so  are  generally  more  exposed  to 
danger  than  others. 


Thus,  my  young  friends,  I  have  told  you 
some  fancy  stories,  partly  for  the  sake  of 
amusing  you,  and  partly  for  the  sake  of  im- 


128  PARLEY'S   FABLES. 

pressing  upon  your  minds  certain  useful  lessons. 
These  I  hope  you  may  remember ;  and  if  you 
do  so,  they  will  no  doubt  be  the  source  of 
much  good. 


n 


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